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Rabat – Paraguay forward Miguel Almiron became the first player sent off under a new rule against covering the mouth during confrontations at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The incident took place during Paraguay’s 1-0 victory over Türkiye in their second Group D match.
Almiron was involved in an argument with Türkiye defender Mert Müldür shortly before halftime. Television images showed the Paraguayan covering his mouth with his hand while speaking to his opponent.
The video assistant referee reviewed the incident before referee Ivan Barton showed Almiron a straight red card in first-half stoppage time.
Paraguay were leading 1-0 when the player was dismissed.
New rule applied for the first time
The International Football Association Board approved the measure in April before the start of the World Cup.
Under the amendment, competition organizers can instruct referees to send off a player who covers his mouth with a hand, arm or shirt during a confrontation with an opponent.
The rule was introduced to make it more difficult for players to hide discriminatory or abusive remarks from cameras and match officials.
It followed a Champions League incident in which Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior accused Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni of using discriminatory language while covering his mouth.
The measure does not apply whenever a player covers his mouth during an ordinary conversation. The action must take place in a confrontational situation, with the final decision based on the referee and the competition’s instructions.
Paraguay hold on with 10 players
Matias Galarza gave Paraguay the lead after only 65 seconds, scoring the fastest goal of the tournament at that stage.
Almiron’s dismissal forced Paraguay to defend with 10 players throughout the second half.
Türkiye controlled possession and created several opportunities, but Paraguay’s defence protected the narrow advantage until the final whistle.
The result kept Paraguay’s hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive while confirming Türkiye’s elimination from the competition.
Paraguay will face Australia in their final group match.
Second unusual VAR incident for Almiron
Almiron had already been involved in another notable VAR decision during Paraguay’s opening match against the United States.
A yellow card was initially shown to American defender Tim Ream, but a video review found that the referee had punished the wrong player.
The card was removed from Ream and instead given to Almiron for simulation.
That intervention was carried out under VAR’s mistaken-identity provisions, which allow officials to correct a disciplinary decision when the wrong player has been cautioned or dismissed.
Almiron has therefore been involved in two of the tournament’s most unusual applications of refereeing rules during Paraguay’s first two matches.
