Paraguay midfielder Miguel Almiron became the first player to be sent off for covering his mouth during a FIFA World Cup match after receiving a red card in the Group D game against Turkey.
The incident occurred in first-half stoppage time when Almiron clashed with Turkey defender Mert Muldur. During the exchange, the former Newcastle United midfielder was seen covering his mouth while speaking.
After a VAR review, Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton issued a straight red card.
The dismissal was the first enforcement of a new FIFA rule introduced for the 2026 World Cup, banning players from covering their mouths during on-field conversations to promote transparency and prevent comments from being concealed from officials and broadcast cameras.
Almiron’s red card left Paraguay with 10 men and made him the first player in World Cup history to be sent off under the new regulation.
