VAR protocol tested as USMNT tops Group D with 4-1 victory over Paraguay
The 2026 FIFA World Cup opener at SoFi Stadium featured the tournament’s first significant VAR intervention, alongside tactical scrutiny surrounding head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
The United States Men’s National Team secured a 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their Group D opener at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a result that saw the USMNT top the group standings. The match, held at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles before a crowd of 70,492 spectators, was marked by the tournament’s first major Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervention and tactical decisions that drew immediate attention from the stadium.
In the 53rd minute, on-field referee Danny Makkelie initially issued a yellow card to US defender and captain Tim Ream for a careless trip on Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón. The decision was subsequently reviewed by VAR official Carlos Del Cerro Grande under FIFA’s new laws, which permit intervention when a card is shown for an offence committed by a different player. The review determined that Ream made no contact with Almirón, leading to the rescinding of the card from the US defender.
Following the mistaken identity check, the yellow card was reissued to Almirón for simulation. Former Select Group referee Andy Davies, who has over 12 seasons of elite refereeing experience, noted that while Ream’s initial booking was understandable in real-time, the delayed card for Almirón was justified due to clear simulation. Davies described the incident as a good application of the new laws that aims to discourage diving.
Tactical scrutiny also emerged at halftime when USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino substituted Christian Pulisic for Sebastian Berhalter. The decision drew scrutiny from the crowd, though Pulisic communicated that he was "good" to individuals in the friends-and-family section upon leaving the pitch. Pochettino is expected to address the reasoning behind the substitution in the post-match period.
Paraguay attempted to reduce the deficit in the second half, eventually scoring in the 70th minute through Maurício, who converted an assist from Julio Enciso. Despite the late goal, the USMNT maintained their lead to secure the four-point margin, concluding the Group D opener with a decisive win.
