World Cup 2026: Covering Mouth During Dispute May Lead to Red Card

FIFA announced a new sanction for the 2026 World Cup, approved by IFAB. A player covering their mouth during a confrontation may be sent off at the discretion of the organizers. This measure aims to limit difficult-to-control verbal behaviors, as illustrated by an incident involving Vinícius Júnior. The implementation of this rule will depend on its integration into the competition regulations.