Miguel Almiron of Paraguay became the first player issued a red card for covering his mouth during a World Cup match against Turkey in Santa Clara, California. The incident occurred during first-half stoppage time of the Group D match.
The red card followed a confrontation near midfield where Almiron and Turkey's Mert Muldur exchanged words. Almiron covered his mouth while speaking to Muldur, who appealed to referee Ivan Barton for punishment. After a video review, Barton confirmed the ejection while Paraguay held a 1-0 lead.
This dismissal marks the first instance of the new rule being applied at the World Cup. Under the regulation, players who cover their mouths with their hand, arm, or shirt in confrontational situations receive a straight red card.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino pushed for the new rule after Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni tried to hide verbal insults, described as discriminatory slurs, toward Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior in a Champions League game.