New FIFA Rule Penalizes Players Covering Mouths in Matches

In preparation for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, FIFA introduced a rule penalizing any player who covers their mouth during a confrontational situation with another player. The International Football Association Board (IFAB) approved this law unanimously in late April.

On June 19, Miguel Almiron of Atlanta United and the Paraguay national team became the first to receive a red card under this new rule. The incident occurred just before halftime in Paraguay’s 1-0 victory over Turkiye.

Following the incident, Jackson Irvine, a midfielder for Australia, publicly commented on the rule and Almiron’s action. His remarks gained significant attention. Irvine stated to ESPN Australia & NZ, “The rule itself? Listen, I think it’s clear. We were all informed beforehand. It’s bound to be controversial because the exact nature of the exchange is unknown, yet past events, such as the Vinicius Junior incident, remove any ambiguity.”

Irvine added, “If a player says something they prefer not to be seen, it’s reasonable to believe that if it’s not something to be shared openly, then it’s best left unsaid.” His straightforward comments received overwhelming support. One response on social media highlighted the general agreement, noting, “Oh, so it is possible for an athlete to provide a simple, clear-eyed answer about a sport’s effort in creating an inclusive and equitable environment.”

In a related context, earlier this year, Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni was involved in controversy after covering his mouth when speaking to Real Madrid’s Vini Jr. during a UEFA Champions League match. Vini Jr. accused Prestianni of using slurs, leading to Prestianni’s six-match ban by UEFA.

After these events, FIFA announced it would implement measures to prevent players from concealing their mouths at this World Cup. The intention is to promote transparency and address issues of discrimination on the field.