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Almiron Red Carded for Covering Mouth in World Cup First
20 Jun
Summary
- Miguel Almiron received a red card for covering his mouth.
- This marks the first-ever dismissal under FIFA's new rule.
- Paraguay secured a 1-0 victory despite playing with ten men.
On June 20, 2026, Miguel Almiron of Paraguay etched his name in FIFA World Cup history for an unprecedented reason. The Atlanta United midfielder was shown a straight red card just before half-time during Paraguay's Group D match against Turkey at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium. This dismissal was the first instance of a player being sent off under FIFA's new regulation prohibiting players from covering their mouths during exchanges with opponents or officials.
The controversial incident occurred in first-half stoppage time following a foul on an Almirón teammate. During a heated exchange with Turkey's Mert Müldür, Almirón covered his mouth while speaking. Referee Ivan Barton, after a VAR review, issued the red card, a direct consequence of the new rule implemented in April 2026 to enhance transparency and prevent obscured communication.
At the time of Almirón's ejection, Paraguay was leading Turkey 1-0, a scoreline established by Matías Galarza's early goal. Despite playing the entire second half with ten men, La Albirroja displayed resilience and managed to maintain their lead, ultimately securing a crucial 1-0 victory. This landmark red card serves as a clear message from FIFA regarding adherence to its evolving disciplinary guidelines.
