Tim Ream became the oldest player to appear for the US men's national team at a World Cup, playing at age 38 on June 11, 2026. [1] During the US match against Paraguay that day, Ream was initially shown a yellow card in the 53rd minute for a challenge on Paraguay's Miguel Almirón. [1, 2]
The video assistant referee, Carlos del Cerro Grande, contacted referee Danny Makkelie to review the decision for mistaken identity under a new VAR rule introduced earlier in 2026. [1, 2] After the review, the yellow card was rescinded from Ream and instead issued to Almirón for simulation. [1, 2] This marked the first time a player benefited from the International Football Association Board’s new "mistaken identity" VAR rule.
Andy Davies, a football analyst, praised the rule change, saying, "When a player clearly deceives the referee and as a result an opposition player receives an unfair yellow card, this can only be a positive addition to the laws." [2]
Later in the same match, US midfielder Tyler Adams received a yellow card in the 59th minute. [1] Adams will carry this caution into the USMNT’s next match against Australia on June 19, 2026. [1]
The game ended with the US defeating Paraguay 4-1. [1] The corrected booking for Ream set a precedent for the use of VAR to address mistaken identity incidents during the tournament.
