The FIFA World Cup 2026 is barely out of its opening stages, yet referees are already navigating a maze of new rule changes — and at least one of those rules appears to have been applied incorrectly in a high-profile match.

The Almiron yellow card controversy

During the second half of the match between the United States and Paraguay, Dutch referee Danny Makkelie halted play after USA captain Tim Ream had been shown a yellow card for an apparent foul on Paraguay midfielder Miguel Almiron. Spanish video assistant referee (VAR) Carlos del Cerro Grande directed Makkelie to the pitchside monitor to review the incident.

Upon review, it became clear Almiron had not been touched. Makkelie reversed the caution on Ream and instead booked the former Newcastle player for simulation. Many viewers welcomed the intervention, with BBC commentator Danny Murphy calling it "the right decision."

However, well-placed sources have told BBC Sport the decision was, in fact, incorrect under current laws — even if it felt justified.

Why the ruling appears to be wrong

The relevant law change, introduced by the International Football Association Board (Ifab), covers "mistaken identity" — situations where the referee has clearly penalised the wrong player for the same offence. The example that prompted the rule was from Euro 2016, when France's Laurent Koscielny was booked for a handball that was actually committed by Portugal striker Eder. Same offence, wrong player.

In the USA vs Paraguay case, however, the offences were entirely different: Ream was originally penalised for a foul, while Almiron was subsequently booked for simulation. These are two distinct offences, which means the mistaken identity rule was arguably misapplied.

Compounding the problem, VAR protocol states that a review cannot take place after play has been intentionally restarted — and Makkelie had already resumed the match with a Paraguay free-kick before the review was initiated. FIFA has yet to formally clarify the situation.

A new rule too far?

Head of referees Pierluigi Collina had not, in six months of pre-tournament briefings, referenced diving as a scenario covered by the mistaken identity rule. Critics argue that the sheer volume of new laws introduced for this World Cup has created as much confusion as clarity.

Former England defender Phil Jagielka sympathised with the instinct behind the decision: "If something like that does happen, where there's obviously not been contact and it's been simulated and the referee has fallen for it, why not reverse it?" he told BBC Sport. Yet he also acknowledged the complications: "What happens if I touch you a tiny bit and then you dive? You can't reverse it, because I've touched you, even though my touch hasn't made you collapse and fall over. Where do you draw the line?"

Hydration breaks divide opinion

Another new measure generating debate is the mandatory three-minute hydration break, introduced by FIFA regardless of weather conditions. USA coach Mauricio Pochettino was direct in his assessment before his side's 4-1 victory over Paraguay in Los Angeles: "I don't like it. I only like it when the conditions are extreme, but when the conditions are good, it is unnecessary."

Jagielka, however, sees a tactical upside. "That three minutes could be massive," he said. "If your team's not doing well, and it's a loud stadium, it's nigh on impossible to get messages on. You could literally turn a game around in that break." Coaches may use electronic devices during the interval for player welfare or tactical purposes, though broadcasters have also drawn criticism for running commercials during the stoppages.

Five-second throw-in rule

Fans are also adjusting to a five-second rule for throw-ins, designed to discourage timewasting. It joins the eight-second rule for goalkeepers — in place since August 2025 — as part of a broader push to speed up the game. Several players have already been caught out by the new throw-in restriction, suggesting the learning curve for this World Cup's rulebook is steeper than most.