Why Covering Your Mouth Leads to a Red Card at the 2026 World Cup
During the June 20 match between Paraguay and Turkey, Miguel Almirón made World Cup history by becoming the first player to receive a red card for covering his mouth while speaking to an opponent. This new rule was introduced by FIFA before the 2026 World Cup after a controversial incident in the Champions League earlier that year.
Why Is Covering Your Mouth Penalized?
FIFA added this rule to prevent players from hiding abusive or offensive comments behind covered mouths, which makes it impossible to verify what was said. The rule states that if a player covers their mouth during a confrontation with an opponent, referees must issue a red card regardless of the content of the speech.
In April 2026, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) approved several new regulations, including this one, specifically to address such situations.
"Following a VAR review in the FIFA World Cup match between Türkiye and Paraguay, Miguel Almirón was shown red card for covering his mouth. Following a special meeting of The IFAB held in April, a number of amendments were introduced to be implemented at the FIFA World Cup 2026." — FIFA (@FIFAcom)
The Trigger: 2026 Champions League Incident
Earlier in February 2026, during a Champions League match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, Gianluca Prestianni covered his mouth while talking to Vinicius Jr. Play stopped for 10 minutes after Vinicius accused Prestianni of racial abuse. Another Real Madrid player claimed the comment was homophobic instead. Prestianni denied the allegations.
Because no one could confirm what was actually said, UEFA found it difficult to take a clear position. Prestianni was suspended for several games but UEFA urged FIFA to create clearer rules to avoid similar cases.
Fans dubbed this the "Prestianni Law", which led to the automatic red card rule for covering the mouth.
More Examples from the 2026 World Cup
Almirón was not the only player affected. On June 30, Colombia's Piero Hincapie was also sent off in the 95th minute against Mexico after covering his mouth while speaking to Santiago Jimenez. This marked the second enforcement of the rule during the tournament.
"Piero Hincapie was sent off for covering his mouth in Mexico-Ecuador after VAR review. That's the second time this World Cup the new rule has been enforced." — ESPN FC (@ESPNFC)
Impact on the Game
This new rule forces players to speak openly during confrontations, removing the shield of ambiguity. While some argue it might lead to unfair punishments, FIFA believes it’s necessary to protect players from hidden insults or discriminatory language. Almirón's red card serves as a warning for future tournaments and highlights how the sport is adapting to maintain fairness.
