VAR intervenes to overturn yellow card for US defender in Paraguay match

A controversial moment unfolded during the 2026 World Cup qualifier between the United States and Paraguay when the video assistant referee (VAR) prompted a review of a yellow card. Dutch referee Danny Makkelie had initially cautioned US defender Tim Ream in the 49th minute for a challenge on Paraguay's Miguel Almirón.

The situation escalated when the VAR alerted Makkelie to a potential "identity error" in the card issuance. This type of review is permissible for yellow cards, particularly when there's a possibility the wrong player was cautioned. The free kick resulting from the initial call had even been taken.

Following the VAR consultation, the decision was overturned. Ream was cleared of the booking, and the yellow card was instead issued to Almirón for simulating the foul. While officials cited an "identity error" as the reason for the review, the intervention to reverse a card for a common foul, especially one already executed, sparked suspicion among observers.