USA vs Paraguay: Ex-FIFA official hails VAR after player caught 'cheating'

FIFA referee Danny Makkelie deserves praise for reversing his decision over a "cheating" player during USA's opening World Cup win over Paraguay.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that he expects his fellow officials to follow suit for the rest of this summer's tournament.

Mauricio Pochettino's side claimed a 4-1 win in Group D, thanks to a Folarin Balogun brace, Damian Bobadilla's own goal and a late Giovanni Reyna strike.

The game was not without its controversial moments, though, especially when former Fulham defender Tim Ream went into the referee's notebook for a sliding challenge.

Paraguay were allowed to take the free-kick before VAR intervened, with the suggesting that Miguel Almiron had dived, rather than it being a foul from USA's captain.

With the option reversed, it was Newcastle United's former winger who found himself cautioned instead, a rarely seen moment from VAR since its introduction into the sport.

Watching the incident unfold, instead of hitting out at the original decision, Hackett has decided to applaud the process and the World Cup officials.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: "I applaud the intervention of the VAR on this incident and the referee's response.

"Clearly, from the referee's viewing angle, he thought that there was a foul and issued an immediate yellow card. VAR had a much clearer view, which saw it as an act of simulation.

"A quick check at the monitor and the yellow card was rescinded, and rightly given to the player for a clear act of simulation.

"I have to say that I'd like to see an improvement in the detection of foul challenges. Early in the competition, I've witnessed some referees awarding a free-kick when no offence has taken place."

This is certainly one of the more positive refereeing stories of the 2026 World Cup so far, given the tournament kicked off with three red cards.

Mexico's win over South Africa saw Sphephelo Sithole, Themba Zwane and Cesar Montes all given their marching orders, and some of the decisions being more controversial than others.

Zwane was shown a straight red following a VAR review for "violent conduct" after his attempt to get past his opponent resulted in a hand in the face.

Football fans across the globe were also shocked when Montes was sent off for a last-man challenge, and that was certainly arguable in the circumstances.