Miguel Almirón became the first player ever dismissed for covering his mouth during an on‑field dispute. The Atlanta United midfielder received a straight red card in the 48th minute of Paraguay’s Group D clash with Türkiye after he muffed a comment to opponent Mert Muldur. Referee Ivan Barton consulted VAR before signalling the sanction under the new IFAB rule.

The rule, adopted in early 2026, mandates an automatic red when a player covers his mouth in a confrontational setting, aiming to curb hidden racist slurs after the Gianluca Prestianni‑Vinicius Junior incident in the Champions League. Paraguay’s side now faces a ten‑man defence but clung to a 1‑0 lead secured by Matías Galarza’s record‑fast goal.

Paraguay’s third ever World Cup dismissal – joining Carlos Paredes and Roberto Acuña in 2002 – pushes the tournament total to seven send‑offs, the highest count since 2014. Despite the numerical disadvantage, the team held on for a 1‑0 victory, eliminating Türkiye from knockout contention and underscoring the new rule’s immediate impact on match outcomes.

The enforcement illustrates IFAB’s willingness to prioritize behaviour policing over traditional on‑field discretion. Coaches will now drill players on verbal restraint, knowing that a simple gesture can swing a result. Paraguay’s ability to grind out the win despite the IFAB‑driven sanction demonstrates that tactical adaptability remains decisive in high‑stakes tournaments.