New FIFA Rule on Covering Mouths Sparks Controversy

In preparation for the 2026 FIFA men’s World Cup, FIFA introduced a controversial rule. This rule stipulates that any player who covers their mouth “in a confrontational situation with an opponent” will receive a red card. The International Football Association Board (IFAB) approved the rule unanimously in late April.

Miguel Almiron, a star player for Atlanta United and a midfielder for Paraguay, made history in an unfavorable way. He became the first player to receive a red card for covering his mouth just before halftime during Paraguay’s 1-0 victory over Turkiye on June 19.

The day after, Jackson Irvine, Australia’s midfielder, became widely discussed for his position on Almiron’s action when asked about the new rule. According to ESPN Australia & NZ, Irvine stated, “The rule itself? Listen, I think it’s clear. We were all told before. It’s going to be controversial in some ways because we don’t know the nature of what it was, but when you look at what’s happened in the past, especially around the incident with Vinicius Junior, I think it takes everything out of the equation.”

Irvine added, “If you’re saying something to someone that you don’t want to be seen, then I think it’s safe to say that if you can’t be seen saying it, then it shouldn’t be said.” His views were well-received, with many appreciating his candidness. A reply from Tipping Pitches encapsulated the general reaction: “Oh, so it IS possible for an athlete to give a simple, clear-eyed answer about a sport making a good faith effort to create an inclusive and equitable environment.”

The background to this rule involves an incident from a UEFA Champions League match in February. During the match, Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni covered his mouth with his jersey while speaking to Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior. Vinicius Junior accused Prestianni of using slurs, and UEFA subsequently banned Prestianni for six matches.

Following that incident, FIFA announced intentions to “introduce measures” against players covering their mouths at the current World Cup.