Why Covering Your Mouth Leads to a Red Card at the 2026 World Cup

During a June 20 match between Paraguay and Turkey, Miguel Almirón became the first player in World Cup history to be shown a red card for covering his mouth while speaking to an opponent. This moment marked a new chapter in soccer rules, designed to address a very specific issue.

The Rule's Origin

Before the 2026 World Cup, FIFA introduced a rule that punishes players with a red card if they cover their mouth during conversations with opponents. The reason is straightforward: covering the mouth makes it impossible to confirm what was said, leaving referees unable to verify if the words were offensive or abusive.

This rule emerged after a controversial incident in a 2026 Champions League match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. Atletico's Gianluca Prestianni covered his mouth while speaking to Vinicius Jr., who accused him of racial abuse. UEFA struggled to decide the case because no one could clearly hear the words spoken. The confusion led FIFA to act.

"Following a VAR review in the FIFA World Cup match between Türkiye and Paraguay, Miguel Almirón was shown a red card for covering his mouth," FIFA stated on June 20, 2026.

The Champions League Incident That Sparked Change

In February 2026, during the Champions League clash, the incident between Prestianni and Vinicius Jr. halted play for 10 minutes. While Vinicius claimed racial abuse, another Real Madrid player later suggested a homophobic remark was made instead. Prestianni denied the accusations, saying Vinicius misheard him.

The inability to confirm the exact words prevented UEFA from taking a clear stance. Prestianni was suspended for several matches, but the episode pushed FIFA to implement the new rule, which fans now call "The Prestianni Law."

Almirón and Hincapié: First Players Penalized Under the New Rule

Miguel Almirón was the first to face consequences under this new guideline at the 2026 World Cup. His red card came despite Paraguay winning the match 1-0, setting a precedent for future tournaments.

Later in the competition, Colombia's Piero Hincapié also received a red card for covering his mouth during a heated exchange with Mexico’s Santiago Jiménez. His dismissal occurred in stoppage time during Colombia's 2-0 loss to Mexico.

These events show FIFA's determination to eliminate hidden verbal abuse on the field by making mouth-covering an automatic red card offense.