Miguel Almiron becomes first player sent off for mouth-covering at World Cup

Paraguay midfielder Miguel Almiron has been given a one-match suspension after he was the first player to be sent off at the World Cup for covering his mouth. FIFA confirmed on Tuesday that Almiron will miss Paraguay's final group game against Australia on Thursday. Almiron made history when he was issued a red card for covering his mouth during a confrontation with Turkey's Mert Mulder late in the first half of Paraguay's 1-0 win last Friday.

Almiron received the first red card for covering his mouth in the World Cup Group D match against Turkiye.

Almiron received the first red card for covering his mouth in the World Cup Group D match against Turkiye.

Miguel Almirón made unwanted World Cup history after being shown a straight red card for covering his mouth while speaking to an opponent. The decision was unusual enough to become the main talking point from Paraguay’s win over Turkey, even though the match also carried real Group D stakes.

Almiron was dismissed in first-half stoppage time but Paraguay clung on for a 1-0 win over Turkey

Miguel Almirón was shown the red after an altercation in Paraguay's Group B match vs Türkiye.

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 to be 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 while exchanging words with Turkey player Mert Müldür.

Miguel Almirón made World Cup history — just not the kind he would have liked. He got a unique red card during Paraguay's match against Turkey.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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'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.