New Rule Approved for World Cup: Players Covering Their Mouths May Receive Red Card Dismissal
FIFA has approved a new rule allowing referees to issue red cards to players who cover their mouths during confrontations with opponents, set to debut at the 2026 World Cup following a controversial incident in the Champions League.
Football has a new rule that has been approved, allowing referees to issue red cards to players who cover their mouths when confronting opponents. This rule will be implemented in the upcoming World Cup. The 2026 World Cup will feature an interesting new rule that has received international approval, whereby referees can immediately issue red cards to players who intentionally cover their mouths when facing off against opposing players. The rule was proposed by FIFA following an incident involving Benfica forward Gonçalo Ramos, who pulled up his shirt to cover his mouth and spoke to Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior during a UEFA Champions League match between the two teams. UEFA subsequently investigated and handed Ramos a six-match ban, with three matches suspended over a two-year period on charges of discriminatory language. Most recently, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which sets football regulations, issued a statement that "players who cover their mouths in confrontational situations with opponents can be punished with a red card, at the discretion of the referee." Additionally, another new rule has been approved whereby players who walk off the pitch to protest the referee may also receive a direct red card. This rule stems from an incident during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and host nation Morocco.
