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World Cup players who cover their mouths during confrontations with opponents will receive a red card under a new initiative aimed at combating racism, world governing body FIFA said on Tuesday.
This measure, confirmed following an International Football Association Board (IFAB) meeting in Vancouver, is part of a broader initiative to eliminate racism from the sport.
At a Special Meeting held in Vancouver, Canada, @TheIFAB unanimously approved two FIFA-proposed Law amendments to address discriminatory and inappropriate behaviour.
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) April 28, 2026
The governing body stated that the action of hiding one’s speech in a heated moment will now be interpreted as an attempt to conceal verbal abuse or discriminatory remarks.
The policy change follows a high-profile incident earlier this year involving Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni and Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, where allegations of racial abuse were complicated by the player’s use of his hand to shield his words.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino strongly endorsed the shift, arguing that players who have nothing to hide should have no reason to cover their mouths.
He emphasised that the presumption of guilt in these specific scenarios is necessary to ensure a higher standard of conduct on the pitch.
In addition to the mouth-covering ban, FIFA introduced a second law change that mandates a red card for any player or team official who leaves the field in protest of a referee’s decision.
This rule aims to prevent the type of chaos seen during the recent Africa Cup of Nations final, where a walk-off by the Senegalese team led to significant disciplinary action.
These updates come just weeks before the World Cup kicks off across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, signalling a zero-tolerance approach to both discrimination and gamesmanship.
