In preparation for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, FIFA proposed a rule targeting players who cover their mouths in confrontational situations. This rule states that such actions will result in a red card. The International Football Association Board (IFAB) approved the proposal unanimously in late April.

On June 19, during Paraguay’s 1-0 victory over Turkiye, Atlanta United’s Miguel Almiron became the first player sent off for this reason. The incident occurred just before halftime, marking a historic implementation of the new rule.

The next day, Australia midfielder Jackson Irvine commented on the situation, expressing his support for the rule. In an interview with ESPN Australia & NZ, Irvine stated, “The rule itself? Listen, I think it’s clear. We were all told before. It’s going to be controversial in some ways because we don’t know the nature of what it was, but when you look at what’s happened in the past, especially around the incident with Vinicius Junior, I think it takes everything out of the equation.” He added, “If you’re saying something to someone that you don’t want to be seen, then I think it’s safe to say that if you can’t be seen saying it, then it shouldn’t be said.”

Irvine’s response was met with widespread approval. Public sentiment echoed his views, recognizing that an athlete can provide a straightforward answer when sports organizations strive for inclusivity and fairness.

This rule’s origins trace back to a February incident during a UEFA Champions League match. Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni covered his mouth while speaking to Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior. Vini Jr. accused Prestianni of using slurs, leading UEFA to ban Prestianni for six matches.

Soon after that incident, FIFA pledged to introduce measures against players covering their mouths, aiming to promote an inclusive environment at this World Cup.