Thursday, 18 June 2026

2026 FIFA World Cup Match 26: Switzerland - Bosnia and Herzegovina (discussion)

João Pinheiro debut at WC, in a full European clash, Switzerland - Bosnia and Herzegovina. 


Match #26
Group B
18 June 2026, 21:00 CET
SoFi Stadium, Inglewood
SWITZERLAND - BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 
Referee: João Pinheiro POR 
Assistant Referee 1: Bruno Jesus POR
Assistant Referee 2: Luciano Maia POR
Fourth Official: Yusuke Araki JPN
Reserve AR : Jun Mihara JPN
Vidéo Assistant Referee: Dennis Johan Higler NED
Assistant Vidéo Assistant Referee 1 : Tomasz Kwiatkowski POL
Assistant Vidéo Assistant Referee 2 : Fu Ming CHN 

71 comments:

  1. 1' missed YC for reckless

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    1. Clip: https://streamable.com/pilwiu

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    2. @Chefren are you surprised it wasn’t given based on the lack of YC not shown? Is there a directive from FIFA for this?

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  2. Pinheiro whistled for the start before countdown was over :)

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  3. Would it be harsh to say we should have had 2 YC's in the first 3 minutes? One for each team.

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    1. I think its a very valid argument, certainly the 1st offence should have been yellow

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    2. I think technically in isolation, very strong cases for that. But if we go with big picture, early stages, and instructions given, I feel you need a 150% clear YC for one to be given over a strong warning/management. I'm not sure Pinheiro should be blamed for that

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    3. Clip: https://streamable.com/om5hgo

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  4. The trend at this WC is clear, but now the big question to me is about Sampaio and that first game, I think one between Collina and Busacca, or maybe both, fainted after the final whistle...

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    1. Is it possible we wont see Sampaio again now?

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    2. Yes, I'm thinking about that, but he is strong name.
      The most logical expectation for me is to give him a second, rather useless game in group stage and then nothing else.
      We will see, I'm very curious, given that he is a strong name, the situation becomes particular, otherwise, if happened to a "normal" referee, no doubts about the end of tournament.

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    3. The fact that we now have 3 Brazilians in circulation could be something that means they will drop Sampaio to focus on the other 2. I think though that Abatti also was below standards in his game, so perhaps Sampaio might get the 2nd chance ahead of him.

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    4. What are you guys talking about?

      He had 2 DOGSOs and 1 VC.

      Have there been any other potential DOGSOs or VCs that were not given?

      It was a statistical anomaly but three clear red cards occurred in his match, so he gave them. Other than the argument for SFP in Scotland v Haiti, we have not had any other serious shout for a straight red card all tournament. We need to make appropriate comparisons.

      Sampaio's refereeing was fine, if not good, and consistent (if not better) than the average performance in this tournament.

      Sampaio will get a big second group stage match and at least one big KO match. It's bizarre to me that people think something went wrong in the opener.

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    5. Usaref, I completely agree. We all know 3 RCs is not what FIFA wants and they obviously caused some controversy too. But IMO the controversy would have been bigger if one of them wouldn’t have been given. So what is Sampaio supposed to do.

      And I‘m sure the committee wasn’t pleased in the manner how he refereed the game overall, but that shouldn’t completely rule him out of future appointments.

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  5. I think from a technical standpoint one can live with no card in both situations. But YC better for me in both cases.

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  6. (As we know, giving 2YC would be going against the grain...)

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  7. Not to be "cynical", but it's certainly very funny to discuss YCs (and marking people down) at the WC since at least 2014 when it's clear that the powers that be "steal" the cards before the referees ever step onto the pitch.... Always disappointing in terms of management; discretion, sure, but officials shouldn't be fighting to keep players on the pitch.

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    1. To underline that:
      In 2026, only 52 yellow cards on MD1 (i.e. 2,17 per game).
      In 2006, we had 4,83 YCs per game in the group stage.

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    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    3. FIFA are always looking to maximise revenue, keeping their best players on the pitch is what they are looking to do. Not just to avoid red cards but also to avoid accumulated red cards where players miss out on crucial group stage matches. For us refereeing purists it is an issue, when it comes to revenue, the YC becomes an after thought especially when you think about the other things they have done (hydration breaks, dynamic ticket pricing, total stadium control etc)

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  8. Although I understand the claims for the YCs at the beginning, I don’t agree. After the two clear and public warnings, Pinheiro kept the players and the game on his pocket. I think that is very good management. We, as a referees are part of the game and the “show”.

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  9. "I want my 45 minutes back

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  10. Did anyone hear the whistle for the restart I didn't hear a thing?

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  11. Most of games with very boring moments, but more generally, sometimes I have the feeling that players are instructed not to put in trouble referees.. it's very strange, because with so many games, unless the opener, one can always observe such trend, even when OFR were made. Anything behind the scenes?

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  12. Why such a delayed offside on the overhead kick? I thought corner checks were only to determine who played the ball last not APP aswell

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    1. Agree ? Is VAR intervened here for a offside ?

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    2. I was about to comment the same

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  13. Predictions:

    FRAIRQ- Fischer (CAN)
    NORSEN- Valenzuela (VEN)
    ARGAUT- Ramos (MEX)
    JORALG- Vincic (SVN)
    PORUZB- Martínez (HON)
    COLCOD- Makkelie (NED)
    ENGGHA- Makhadmeh (JOR)
    PANCRO- Omar (EGY)

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  14. With 3D simulation shown, I really don’t understand : VAR intervened to cancel a corner because of offside missed by AR ? Is it normal procedure ?

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  15. Two good YC in an (very) easy game so far

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    1. Clip YC 59': https://streamable.com/ksfbns
      Clip YC 61': https://streamable.com/ruzzqu + (3D)

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  16. Clip YC 65': https://streamable.com/jphdbq

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    1. I think that Pinheiro took 1-2 seconds to determine the 'tactical value' of giving a card there (balancing after two recent and very consecutive YCs for BIH)

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  17. Missed foul on 68' with the game finally getting good and then the break comes.... terrible timing

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    1. No replays in the broadcast...Pinheiro said something like it was «very small contact» when the swiss players mobbed him heading to hydration break.

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    2. 68' Live-sequence: https://streamable.com/copxq3

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    3. Hydration Break Clip:
      https://streamable.com/kr7gxo

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  18. Given YCs are correct, but really not convinced with his foul detection

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    1. Agree. Not very balanced foul detection : we don’t detect a clear line to whistle or not fouls or not.

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  19. Very good foul detection according with the instructions receveid ftom FIFA. Small contacts are not contacts to blow the whistle

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  20. Excelent foul detection. Small contacts are not fouls.

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  21. Great call. DOGSO red card

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    1. Full-Sequence: https://streamable.com/3m0nag

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  22. Ooooh red card... looks correct and brave once its outside

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  23. Good RC. But, in my opinion Pinheiro could and should had use a “strong” whistle. Good cooperation with AR2 to determine where the contact was in or out the box

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  24. Normal and obvious RC. Well done by Pinheiro.

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  25. Not a fan of João Pinheiro but that was an excellent decision he was in a great position absolutely outside the box textbook dogso

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  26. And the Bosnian player accepted the expulsion without protest.

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  27. I am not a great fan of Pinheiro but this match is well for him and he can be happy for his performance.

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  28. PINHEIRO WHAT ARE YOU DOING??? WHERE IS CONTACT HERE?

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  29. Bad penalty. Clear simulation before contact.

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  30. Not sure about the PK looks like the attacker is already falling when there is a contact

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  31. Attacker initiated contact, wasn't that what referees are supposed to call?

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  32. Good decision on the penalty.
    A game that for 70min didn’t have anything ended up with a RC, a penalty and a few YC.
    Pinheiro can be happy with his performance. Let’s see what game he gets next

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  33. Not too much blame on Pinheiro it looked like a definite penalty in live play, small contact so good by VAR to support

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    1. You punish what happens first. Ridiculous simulation before contact.

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  34. Good match by Pinheiro, but PK was wrong in my eyes. Hard to spot, but should have been corrected by VAR.

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  35. Clear and strong contact on the rear foot. Penalty classic

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  36. I’m sure about this PK…Clear dive IMO, there is no contact.

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  37. Sorry but never never never it’s a penalty here. Clear dive by attacker and after contact. Unbelievable non VAR intervention and bad finish for Pinheiro.

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  38. Big mistake on the PK. VAR should correct

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