The expulsion of Miguel Almirón in the debut of the new rule that sanctions players for covering their mouths has put Paraguay's stay in the World Cup at risk. The incident occurred during the match between Paraguay and another team, and has generated a lot of controversy in the tournament.

What happened?

The official broadcast did not show the scene, but photographers from different agencies captured Almirón covering his mouth to talk to a rival.

Why is it important for Paraguay?

The new rule aims to protect transparency and combat behaviors that may hide insults, threats or discriminatory expressions.

What's next?

Paraguay will face Australia in their next match, on 2026-06-26. | Date | Match | Result | | --- | --- | --- | | 2026-06-20 | Türkiye - Paraguay | 0-1 | | 2026-06-26 | Paraguay - Australia | -