Almirón becomes first player sent off for covering mouth at World Cup

Paraguay midfielder Miguel Almirón was shown a straight red card in the closing moments of the first half against Turkey in a 2026 World Cup group match in San Francisco, becoming the first player sent off at a World Cup for covering his mouth while speaking to an opponent. El Salvadoran referee Iván Barton issued the card in the 45+3 minute after consulting the video assistant referee (VAR). Almirón's dismissal came after he placed his hand over his mouth while talking to a Turkish player, an action FIFA ruled earlier this year could result in an expulsion. Paraguay had taken a 1-0 lead in the second minute of the match through an early goal. The rule change was announced by FIFA in April, following an incident in February during a Champions League match in which Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni covered his mouth while speaking to Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior. Prestianni received a six-match ban over allegations of racist remarks made during that exchange.