SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Paraguay midfielder Miguel Almiron became the first player issued a red card at the World Cup for covering his mouth, getting sent off during a confrontation late in the first half against Turkey on Friday night.
The infraction came during first-half stoppage time in the Group D match when Almiron and Mert Mulder exchanged words following a foul near midfield. Almiron covered his mouth while saying something to Mulder, who immediately appealed to referee Ivan Barton for punishment.
Barton went to video review and quickly ruled that Almiron would be given a red card and ejected under a new rule put in place for this year’s World Cup.
Paraguay led 1-0 at the time, and held on to win by that same score despite the red card.
For viewers in U.S. only:
Paraguay's Miguel Almirón is sent off with a red card 🟥 pic.twitter.com/adQyHF296s
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 20, 2026
For viewers in Canada only:
IT'S A RED CARD!
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) June 20, 2026
With the new rule instated for this tournament, Miguel Almirón has been sent off for covering his mouth during a confrontational situation. #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/qEyRCeT5J1
FIFA president Gianni Infantino pushed for the new rule after Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni tried to hide verbal insults toward Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior in a Champions League game this past season.
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AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup
