Miguel Almiron's Red Card and the New FIFA Rule

Miguel Almiron ended up in the record books Friday night. But not for any of the reasons Paraguay actually wanted.
He became the first player in FIFA World Cup history to get sent off under that brand new mouth-covering rule. It happened during a heated Group D clash against Turkey. The whole thing was bizarre, unfolding deep into stoppage time of the first half. Tensions were already running high between the players on both sides. Then Almiron briefly covered his mouth while talking to Turkish defender Mert Muldur. That’s when the Turkish side immediately alerted referee Iván Barton. VAR kicked in.
After checking everything out, the official produced a straight red card. It reduced Paraguay to ten men. One of the most unusual dismissals the World Cup has ever seen.
This whole story really puts FIFA's new regulation under the microscope. The rule came into play ahead of the 2026 World Cup. They introduced it trying to stop abusive or discriminatory language on the pitch. It wasn't just some arbitrary call. There was a history behind it.
Remember that Champions League mess? Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni and Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior got into trouble there. Prestianni admitted making homophobic comments while his mouth was covered. It made it impossible for officials to even judge what was actually being said. That incident really pushed FIFA to act. They decided referees needed the authority to issue red cards when players cover their faces during these confrontations.
So, Friday’s game wasn't just about a strange call. It marked the first time this rule resulted in an actual dismissal at a World Cup. A real moment of friction spilling over onto the field.
Meanwhile, what was happening on the pitch before that drama? Things were moving fast. Matías Galarza managed to give his team a perfect start. He scored after just sixty-five seconds. The fastest goal yet in the 2026 World Cup. Almiron’s side got ahead. He punished a Turkish defensive error with a superb low strike from distance, beating goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir.
Turkey didn't just sit down though. They pushed hard for an equalizer. They came agonizingly close before the break. Muldur managed to hit both the crossbar and the post with a header. The final minutes of that half were pure chaos. Confrontations flared, VAR checks dragged on, frustration mounted. Almiron’s dismissal happened right there. Paraguay was clinging to their one-goal lead. Turkey was looking to exploit that numerical advantage instantly. It was just messy football unfolding under an incredibly strange new set of rules.
Written by Gree News Team — Senior Editorial Board
Gree News Team covers international news and global affairs at Gree News. Our collective of senior editors is dedicated to providing independent, accurate, and responsible journalism for a global audience.
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