[Official] 'Cover your mouth during an argument and you're sent off': Why is FIFA introducing this unusual World Cup rule?

*This content was translated by AI.

At the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, which kicks off in June, players who cover their mouths while in a confrontation with an opponent may receive a red card (send-off).

On the 29th (Korean time), FIFA announced, "The International Football Association Board (IFAB) decided at a special meeting that the send-off penalty for covering one's mouth during a confrontation will be applied at this year's North American World Cup."

As a result, during the North American World Cup, if a player covers their mouth while arguing with an opponent, they may face a maximum penalty of a send-off, depending on the referee's judgment.

The background for introducing this unusual rule is the controversy over hate speech that erupted during the UEFA Champions League (UCL) Round of 16 playoff (PO) in February.

At the time, Gianluca Prestigiacomo (Benfica), originally from Argentina, raised his jersey to cover his mouth while arguing with Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid).

Vinicius later claimed he heard racist remarks from Prestigiacomo, while Prestigiacomo admitted to making homophobic remarks but denied making racist ones.

Ultimately, UEFA imposed a six-match suspension on Prestigiacomo for homophobic remarks, but because Prestigiacomo covered his mouth, the racist remarks alleged by Vinicius could not be verified.

Following this, controversy arose over the act of covering one's mouth during arguments between players, and eventually, the IFAB held a special meeting to revise the match rules to allow for a red card in such cases.

However, covering one's mouth during an argument does not automatically result in a send-off; the referee will consider all circumstances before making a final decision.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino explained, "Covering one's mouth implies that one has said something that should not have been said. If there is nothing to hide, there is no reason to cover one's mouth."

In addition, FIFA announced that other regulations will also apply at this World Cup: players who leave the field to protest a referee's decision, or team officials who encourage players to leave the field, may be sent off, and any team that causes a match to be stopped will be awarded a forfeit loss.

Earlier, in January, the Senegal national team withdrew to the locker room to protest a penalty kick awarded to Morocco during the final of the African Nations Cup organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), then returned to play the match. After a tense extra-time battle, Senegal won and claimed the title.

However, Morocco raised an issue regarding Senegal's withdrawal during the match, and ultimately, in March, Senegal's African Nations Cup title was canceled, and Morocco was declared the champion in an unprecedented incident. In response, FIFA has introduced a regulation for this World Cup allowing for immediate send-offs for players who leave the field to protest a decision or for officials who encourage such actions.

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*This content was translated by AI.