Paraguay beats Turkey after historic first red card under FIFA's mouth-covering rule at World Cup 2026
Miguel Almirón became the first player sent off for covering his mouth during a confrontation under a new FIFA rule, yet Paraguay held on with 10 men to eliminate Turkey from the tournament.
A historic red card
Paraguay's Miguel Almirón was shown a straight red card in first-half stoppage time after covering his mouth with his hand while exchanging words with Turkish defender Mert Müldür. Referee Ivan Barton reviewed the incident via VAR and applied a regulation introduced by IFAB just months before the World Cup that makes any deliberate mouth-covering in a confrontational situation a sending-off offence. The expulsion came with Paraguay leading 1-0 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The new rule and its origins
The rule was adopted after a high-profile incident in a February 2026 Champions League match between Benfica and Real Madrid. Gianluca Prestianni covered his mouth with his shirt while speaking to Vinícius Júnior, who later alleged racist abuse. UEFA suspended Prestianni for six matches for discriminatory behaviour. FIFA president Gianni Infantino defended the new regulation before the tournament.
If a player covers his mouth and says something racist, then of course he should be suspended. We must assume that he said something he should not have said, otherwise he would not need to cover his mouth.
Paraguay holds on to win
The goal came from Matías Galarza in the 64th second, the fastest strike of the 2026 World Cup. Turkey dominated possession after the red card but could not break through, and the 1-0 scoreline held. The result, combined with the United States’ 2-0 win over Australia, eliminated Turkey from the group stage with a match to spare.
- Kick-off at Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara
- 64th second: Matías Galarza scores the fastest goal of the 2026 World Cup (1-0)
- 45+3 min: Miguel Almirón is shown a red card for covering his mouth while speaking to Mert Müldür
- Full time: Paraguay wins 1-0 despite playing the second half with 10 men. Turkey is eliminated from the group stage.
Reactions and implications
Almirón, a 32-year-old with 78 caps, posted on Instagram after the match: “I want to thank my teammates for today’s effort. They gave absolutely everything in every action. Thank you, thank you, thank you. It is a pride to be part of this national team.” He will miss the final group game against Australia but could return for the round of 16 if Paraguay advances. Turkish defender Müldür immediately protested the mouth-covering gesture, prompting the VAR check. The application of the rule in a World Cup match drew widespread commentary in Polish media, with some questioning its necessity while others acknowledged the fairness rationale.
