Among the many talking points of the 2026 World Cup lies a controversial new ruling that has already claimed its first victim — covering your mouth during a confrontation with an opponent is now a red card offence.

Just ask Paraguay and former Newcastle United forward Miguel Almirón, who was dismissed against Turkey for doing exactly that. It has divided opinion between fans and pundits alike and has put every player on notice.

The one-match ban is now in effect for the forward and there is no possibility of appealing to overturn the decision.

With that in mind, we’re breaking down the new ruling, what it means, other potential incidents and all the key reactions from the fallout of the red card.

Red Card for Covering Mouth Rule Explained

The inception of this ruling dates back to early 2026. Following Benfica and Real Madrid‘s clash in the UEFA Champions League, it was said that a new law — dubbed the ‘Prestianni Law’—could be introduced after the incident involving Gianluca Prestianni and Vinícius Jr in February.

Whilst that situation was resolved with a six-match ban for the Benfica winger, the International Football Association Board’s attentions quickly turned to international football ahead of the World Cup and how best to implement a ruling to avoid such incidents.

IFAB, and FIFA’s plan developed into a proposal that would see players sanctioned if they deliberately cover their mouths during a confrontation with an opponent. They described it as closing ‘a disciplinary loophole that has complicated investigations in cases involving alleged verbal abuse’ and it was approved in late April.

The incident at the World Cup was the first time the rule had been enforced, which was confirmed following a VAR check.

Players Who Have Been Sent Off for Covering their Mouth

As it stands, Almirón is the only player to be punished by the rule. However, it doesn’t mean there haven’t been other incidents that fans have contested during the tournament.

Two star names that include Argentina‘s Lionel Messi and England‘s Jude Bellingham have both been subject to interest from fans; Messi against Algeria and Bellingham against Ghana.

Whereas Messi’s involved a fellow teammate, Bellingham toed the line more precariously. At halftime during England’s clash with Ghana, he was seen in an altercation with the Ghanaian bench and Jordan Ayew but a lack of reaction from the striker perhaps saved the Real Madrid midfielder from further punishment.

According to the statement released by FIFA following Almirón’s dismissal, a player will be dismissed in a ‘confrontational situation with an opponent’, hence why the calm reaction of Ayew, coupled with the halftime whistle, looks to have saved Bellingham from being the second victim of the rule.

Reaction

REUTERS/Henry Romero

FIFA’s president, Gianni Infantino, gave his reaction to SNTV following the dismissal of Almiron, saying: “If you have nothing to hide, you don’t cover your mouth when you speak to somebody. The rules have been made very clear to everyone, everyone knows them, so this is an important element.”

The most emotional reaction thus far came from Paraguayan commentator, Jorge Vera. As a result, he has since officially had his accreditation removed from the tournament. Vera’s outburst live on air took aim at referee Ivan Barton, Infantino and CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez, claiming that FIFA had ‘killed football’ and that the president should be ‘ashamed’.

Ahead of their clash with Paraguay, Australian captain Jackson Irvine backed the decision, claiming that all the players were all well-informed about the ruling before the tournament began. “If you’re saying something to someone that you don’t want to be seen, then I think it’s safe to say that if you can’t be seen saying it, then it shouldn’t be said.”

England’s Dan Burn reflected on the situation and somewhat sympathised with his former teammate, stating that he believes this was something of a ‘habit’ for the attacker who managed 30 goals in 223 games at St. James Park. “Obviously, I know Miggy [Miguel] personally, so I’d like to think that…I think it’s more habit. I’ve seen him do that a lot over the years.

“It’s going to take a little while for some players to get used to that. We had a referees meeting, so everyone knew the rules, so it wasn’t a massive surprise. But it’s something that’s quite hard to get out of the habit of doing.”

Liverpool have opened talks in recent days over a summer deal to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi, but they face stiff competition for his signature, according to TEAMtalk.

It is already looking like Liverpool could be one of the busiest Premier League clubs in this summer transfer window, with a squad refresh needed after a disappointing 2025-26 campaign, not to mention that FSG will be keen to back new manager Andoni Iraola with the signings he wants.

They have already done that after quickly hijacking Newcastle United’s move to sign Spain international winger Victor Munoz, with the 22-year-old already confirmed as the first arrival of the Iraola era.

Having lost Mohamed Salah, along with Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate, this summer, Reds chiefs are also currently working on a big-money move for RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande.

The Merseysiders see the 19-year-old as their number one target to be Salah’s long-term successor at Anfield, and while they are confident that the player would like to join them, according to GIVEMESPORT sources, agreeing a fee with Leipzig is proving more difficult with the German club demanding up to €130m to sell now.

Liverpool are also looking at their midfield situation too, with at least one new signing expected.

Liverpool Hold Talks With Bouaddi’s Agents

via Reuters

According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool and Real Madrid have now made fresh enquiries over a deal to sign Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi in recent days.

The Reds have stepped up their interest in signing the ‘superstar in the making’, who has been one of the stars of the World Cup so far at just 18 years of age.

Liverpool officials have now held talks with the Morocco international’s camp to confirm their interest in signing him, but they aren’t the best placed team in the race to sign one of the most sought-after young players in Europe.

According to the report, Arsenal remain in the driving seat to sign Bouaddi, having tracked the teenager for years – something the player is aware of.

Lille are said to value the talented youngster at £60m which, after seeing his performances on the world stage and the fact he has made almost 100 senior appearances for the Ligue 1 club, could prove to be a future bargain.

Which Other Midfielders are Liverpool Targeting?

via Reuters

It isn’t just Bouaddi who Liverpool are considering signing in this summer transfer window.

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the Reds made contact earlier this month over a move for West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes, but the Portugal international currently looks more likely to join either Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur.

GIVEMESPORT sources have also revealed that the Merseysiders have a big appreciation for Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton, who has just helped his club qualify for the Europa League by winning the Europa Conference League.

Wharton missed out on a place in England’s World Cup squad and would be able to link up with the Reds at the beginning of pre-season, much like another target, according to GMS sources, in £80m-rated Bournemouth star Alex Scott.

At the World Cup, every tackle, challenge and decision can shape a nation’s tournament and dictate who progresses and who is sent home. While goals and moments of individual quality often demand the headlines, a mistimed challenge or ill-tempered bust-up can prove just as instrumental in deciding a match.

Nathan Ngoy’s dismissal in Belgium’s second group stage game against Iran took the red card total for the tournament to eight, equaling the number of reds seen at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups combined.

With the all-important knockout stage fast approaching, those who have a history of poor discipline will need to walk a fine line in order to ensure they can play their part in their nation’s campaign as the suspension rules start to have a major effect — but how exactly do they work?

World Cup Red & Yellow Card Rules

REUTERS/Daniel Cole

As is standard across many tournaments, any player who is brandished a red card will face a one-match suspension as punishment for their ill-discipline.

South African duo Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane learned this the hard way after the pair were given their marching orders during the opening game against co-hosts Mexico, and subsequently were forced to sit out of their nation’s 1-1 draw against Czechia.

Mexico’s Cesar Montes also saw red in the same game, with only 10 Mexicans and nine South Africans left on the pitch at the final whistle of what was the first ever tournament-opener to have witnessed three dismissals.

But even those who manage a full 90 minutes are not safe from suspension, given that an accumulation of yellow cards can enforce a period on the sidelines.

At previous tournaments, if a player received two yellow cards before reaching the semi-final, they received a one-game suspension. However, as this tournament has been expanded from 32 teams to 48, FIFA have adjusted the laws in order to allow for the extra game.

When are Yellow Cards Wiped?

In order to prevent a whole host of players being suspended for accumulating bookings, FIFA have increased the number of times that the record is wiped to two.

The first is at the conclusion of the group stage, meaning that those who manage to navigate their opening three games whilst only receiving one yellow card will have their slate wiped clean ahead of the knockout stages. After this point, they would need to be awarded a further two bookings in order to face suspension.

Similarly, bookings will be cleared following the quarter-finals, in a bid to limit the impact that the suspension rules will have at the business end of the tournament. It also means that a player cannot be suspended for the final, unless, of course, they receive a red card in the semi.

This means that a player could receive a booking in a group stage match and, so long as they avoid the referee’s book in the other two games, have their slate wiped clean. They could then afford another yellow card in one of the three knockout rounds ahead of, and including, the quarter-finals, before having their tally cleared once again. They could then receive a yellow in both the semi-final and the final, meaning the most bookings a player could receive across the tournament, without facing suspension, is four.

Which Players Will Miss the Next World Cup 2026 Match?

• Sidny Lopes Cabral (Cape Verde): Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia
• Teboho Mokena (South Africa): South Africa vs South Korea
• Tarik Muharemovic (Bosnia and Herzegovina): Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar
• Homam Elamin (Qatar): Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar
• Assim Madibo (Qatar): Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar
• Miguel Almiron (Paraguay): Paraguay vs Australia
• Nathan Ngoy (Belgium): New Zealand vs Belgium

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