Paraguay midfielder Miguel Almiron is sent off during the 2026 FIFA World Cup after receiving a straight red card for covering his mouth while speaking to an opponent, marking the first dismissal of its kind at the tournament. Multiple outlets report the incident occurs late in the first half during Paraguay’s Group D match against Turkey. Almiron is shown a red card after the confrontation, becoming the first player to be ejected under a newly enforced FIFA/IFAB mouth-covering rule. One report describes the confrontation in the context of the rivalry with Turkey’s Mert Mulder.

Despite Almiron’s dismissal, Paraguay maintains their lead and ultimately wins 1–0 against Turkey. The Athletic reports Almiron also receives a one-game ban following the red card. Several outlets also note that Almiron later addresses the decision publicly, but the core details across sources remain consistent: he is the first player at this World Cup to be red-carded for covering his mouth, and Paraguay still wins the match.