Miguel Almiron becomes first player sent off for mouth-covering at World Cup
10 sources • 3 min read • Latest: Jun 20, 2026, 5:37 AM
Last updated Jun 20, 2026
Paraguay's Miguel Almiron was sent off in the first half of their World Cup match against Turkey on June 20, after covering his mouth during a confrontation with Mert Mulder. This marked him as the first player to receive a red card under a new FIFA rule introduced for this tournament. The incident occurred during first-half stoppage time, with Paraguay leading 1-0 at the time. The referee, Ivan Barton, reviewed the situation via VAR and decided to issue the red card based on the new regulation aimed at discouraging unsportsmanlike conduct. FIFA President Gianni Infantino supported the rule's implementation, highlighting its intent to tackle racism in football.
- •Almiron was sent off late in the first half against Turkey.
- •He covered his mouth while speaking to Mulder, prompting the red card.
- •FIFA's new rule against mouth-covering aims to combat racism.
- •Paraguay was leading 1-0 when the dismissal occurred.
- •The match is crucial for teams competing in Group D.
- 6:00 AMESPN — Almiron first to be sent off for covering mouth
- 5:12 AMYahoo Sports — Ten-man Paraguay beat Turkey 1-0 after historic Almirón red card
- 5:05 AMBBC Sport — World Cup first sees Almiron sent off for covering mouth
- 4:45 AMBBC Sport — Almiron first player sent off for covering mouth
- 4:42 AMYahoo Sports — Paraguay's Almirón first player sent off at WC for covering mouth
- 4:35 AMYahoo Sports — Almiron first player sent off for covering mouth
- 4:11 AMYahoo Sports — Paraguay's Miguel Almiron becomes 1st player red-carded at the World Cup for covering his mouth
- 4:06 AMYahoo Sports — Paraguay's Almiron sent off under new FIFA 'mouth-covering' rule
"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.
"Paraguay scored early and then held on to beat Turkey 1-0 at the World Cup on Friday with 10 men after Miguel Almirón became the first player sent off at the tournament for covering his mouth in a confrontation. Almirón got his marching orders in first half stoppage time after a video review revealed that he had violated new rules when he briefly covered his mouth while exchanging words with Turkey player Mert Müldür.
"Paraguay's Miguel Almirón has become the first ever player to be sent off at the World Cup for covering his mouth in a confrontation. Almirón got his marching orders from referee Iván Barton of El Salvador in first half stoppage time after a video review showed that he had violated new rules while exchanging words with Turkey player Mert Müldür following a foul.
Sources
External links- ESPNJun 20, 2026, 6:00 AMAlmiron first to be sent off for covering mouth
Miguel Almirón was shown the red after an altercation in Paraguay's Group B match vs Türkiye.
- Yahoo SportsJun 20, 2026, 5:12 AMTen-man Paraguay beat Turkey 1-0 after historic Almirón red card
Paraguay scored early and then held on to beat Turkey 1-0 at the World Cup on Friday with 10 men after Miguel Almirón became the first player sent off at the tournament for covering his mouth in a confrontation. Almirón got his marching orders in first half stoppage time after a video review revealed that he had violated new rules when he briefly covered his mouth while exchanging words with Turkey player Mert Müldür.
- BBC SportJun 20, 2026, 5:05 AMWorld Cup first sees Almiron sent off for covering mouth
Watch Miguel Almiron become the first player to be sent off under new rules preventing players from covering their mouths during a game at the 2026 World Cup, with the Paraguay midfielder shown red in a win over Turkey.
- BBC SportJun 20, 2026, 4:45 AMAlmiron first player sent off for covering mouth
Paraguay's Miguel Almiron is the first player to be shown a red card for covering his mouth while speaking to an opponent - doing so during the World Cup match against Turkey.
- Yahoo SportsJun 20, 2026, 4:42 AMParaguay's Almirón first player sent off at WC for covering mouth
Paraguay's Miguel Almirón has become the first ever player to be sent off at the World Cup for covering his mouth in a confrontation. Almirón got his marching orders from referee Iván Barton of El Salvador in first half stoppage time after a video review showed that he had violated new rules while exchanging words with Turkey player Mert Müldür following a foul.
- Yahoo SportsJun 20, 2026, 4:35 AMAlmiron first player sent off for covering mouth
Paraguay's Miguel Almiron is the first player to be shown a red card for covering his mouth while speaking to an opponent - doing so during the World Cup match against Turkey.
- Yahoo SportsJun 20, 2026, 4:11 AMParaguay's Miguel Almiron becomes 1st player red-carded at the World Cup for covering his mouth
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.
- Yahoo SportsJun 20, 2026, 4:06 AMParaguay's Almiron sent off under new FIFA 'mouth-covering' rule
Paraguay's Miguel Almiron claimed an unwanted piece of football history on Friday after becoming the first player to be sent off for covering his mouth during an on-field confrontation under new FIFA rules.FIFA announced in April that players who cover their mouths in confrontations with opponents will be given a red card.
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