During injury time of the Group D match in Santa Clara, California, he said something to the injured Mert Muldur while covering his mouth.
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Paraguay's Miguel Almiron has made an unwanted record in football history . Almiron was shown a straight red card after covering his mouth and talking to an opponent during a World Cup 2026 match against Turkey on Saturday morning. He became the first player to receive a red card under FIFA's new rules.
He covered his mouth and said something to Turkey's Mert Muldur in injury time of a Group 'D' match in Santa Clara, California. He was then shown a straight red card. Paraguay was leading 1-0 before the decision was made to send him off with the help of VAR. The match was eventually won by the same score.
FIFA introduced a rule in April that would give a straight red card if a player covered his mouth and argued with an opponent. This is the first time the rule has been used at a World Cup. FIFA introduced the rule, saying it would help to end racial and racist abuse, with Almiron becoming the first player to receive a red card.
The rule was sparked by the controversy that erupted in February this year when Benfica winger Gianluca Prestini was caught using his shirt to cover his mouth and make racist remarks at Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior during a Champions League match. Prestini claimed he was being instructed to do so, but European football handed him a six-match ban. FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the new rule was necessary.
Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro did not respond to Almiron's red card after the match. “If you cover your face, you get a red card, that’s what the rules say,” said 63-year-old Argentine coach Alfaro. “I can’t do anything about it, so we don’t have to make any assumptions.” Paraguay is playing in its first World Cup since 2010. It lost in the quarter-finals to eventual winners Spain 16 years ago.
“Almiron has already apologised to the players for his mistake, he understands what his mistake has caused his team,” Alfaro said.
