Paraguay midfielder Miguel Almiron is sent off at the 2026 FIFA World Cup for covering his mouth during an on-field confrontation, becoming the tournament’s first player to receive a red card under a newly enforced rule. Multiple reports say the incident occurs in Paraguay’s Group D match against Turkey, during late first-half stoppage time, when Almiron faces Turkish opponent Mert Muldur. Accounts consistently describe the dismissal as being for covering his mouth while speaking to or confronting the rival. Media outlets frame the moment as the first time FIFA/IFAB’s mouth-covering regulation leads directly to a red card during the competition.
Despite Almiron’s dismissal, Paraguay maintains their lead and the match ends 1-0 to Paraguay. Some outlets also note that Almiron later comments on the incident, but the core details across sources remain the same: Almiron becomes the first World Cup player ejected for mouth-covering, the red card is shown against Turkey, and Paraguay still wins 1-0 in that match.
