Footballer Sent Off for Covering His Mouth with His Hand for the First Time in World Cup History

The 2026 FIFA World Cup produced one of the most unusual and controversial episodes in the tournament’s history. In a group-stage match between Turkey and Paraguay, Paraguayan midfielder Miguel Almirón became the first footballer ever sent off for violating FIFA’s new rule, which prohibits covering one’s mouth during confrontations with opponents.

Despite the fact that Paraguay played almost the entire second half with 10 men, the team managed to hold on for a 1-0 victory. For Turkey, the defeat was their second in a row at the tournament and completely ended the team’s chances of reaching the knockout stage.

A historic sending-off after VAR intervention

The controversial incident occurred in stoppage time of the first half. During a clash between players, Miguel Almirón said something to Turkey defender Mert Müldür while covering his mouth with his hand. Turkish players immediately drew referee Ivan Barton’s attention to it.

After reviewing the footage through the VAR system, the referee decided to show Almirón a straight red card. As a result, the midfielder became the first player in World Cup history to be punished under FIFA’s new regulations.

The rule came into force immediately before the tournament. Under the new requirements, a player can be sent off if, during a conflict with an opponent, a referee or an official, they deliberately cover their mouth with a hand, a hand in a sleeve or a shirt. FIFA believes such actions are used to conceal abusive, discriminatory or provocative remarks.

A goal in the 64th second decided the match

Paradoxically, the main hero of the match was not Almirón, but midfielder Matías Galarza.

Already in the 64th second of the match, he unleashed a powerful shot from around 25 metres to send the ball into Turkey’s net. That goal became the fastest of the 2026 World Cup and ultimately proved to be the winner.

After Almirón’s dismissal, the Turkish team gained a numerical advantage and controlled the game almost completely. In the second half, Turkey’s possession approached 80 percent, and the number of shots exceeded three dozen. However, Vincenzo Montella’s side failed to convert even one of its many chances.

The Paraguayans, meanwhile, built a compact defence and managed to preserve their narrow lead until the final whistle.

Turkey becomes the first favourite to leave the tournament

For the Turkish national team, the defeat proved catastrophic. After the opening-match setback and the loss to Paraguay, the team lost even theoretical chances of advancing from Group D.

The exit looks especially painful against the backdrop of the team’s performances. In both matches of the tournament, the Turks created a large number of chances, fired plenty of shots on goal and had the initiative, but struggled badly with finishing. In the match against Paraguay, that problem was especially evident: more than 30 shots produced no goals.

After the final whistle, Turkey head coach Vincenzo Montella admitted that the team had done everything possible, but football had been merciless to its mistakes.

The “Vinicius law”

The new rule has already been unofficially dubbed the “Vinicius law.”

Its emergence is linked to a Champions League scandal, when Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni came under investigation after a confrontation with Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian claimed that insulting remarks were directed at him, but determining the exact content of the conversation proved extremely difficult because the alleged offender covered his mouth while speaking.

After that, FIFA and IFAB decided to tighten the rules, making the very act of hiding one’s speech a potential violation if it happens in a conflict situation.

The disputes are only just beginning

The first use of the new rule has triggered a stormy reaction among fans, journalists and former players. Many believe FIFA has gained another tool to fight discrimination and hidden insults on the pitch.

Others fear that such rules could lead to excessive VAR intervention in emotional moments of play and spark new disputes over how the rules are interpreted.

One thing can be said for certain: the 2026 World Cup has already gone down in history. And it happened not because of a beautiful goal or a sensational victory, but because of a gesture that only a few months ago no one would have considered a foul.