FIFA shakes the football world with drastic new rules for the 2026 World Cup: red cards for covering the mouth and for leaving the pitch in protest!
FIFA has just announced a disciplinary revolution that promises to ignite the 2026 World Cup. Starting from the next edition of the tournament, set to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, players will be under tighter scrutiny than ever before: covering one’s mouth during heated discussions on the field could result in an immediate red card! This shocking change comes in the wake of controversial incidents that have recently tarnished international football.
The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the body responsible for the laws of the game, confirmed this week, during a special meeting in Vancouver, two measures that promise to radically change behavior on and off the pitch. The most controversial is undoubtedly the possibility of automatic expulsion for athletes who cover their mouths while arguing with opponents. This decision follows the explosive incident in the Champions League between Vinicius Jr. of Real Madrid and Gianluca Prestianni of Benfica. In February, during a fierce exchange of accusations, Prestianni covered his mouth with his shirt while being accused of racist insults by Vinicius Jr. The young Portuguese player was ultimately suspended for six matches for making a homophobic remark, although he denied the allegations of racism.
“At the discretion of the competition organizer, any player who covers their mouth in a confrontation with an opponent may be sanctioned with a red card,” declared the IFAB, in a measure aimed at combating discriminatory behavior and ensuring transparency in on-field interactions.
But the news does not stop there. Another drastic change concerns players and team members who leave the pitch in protest against referees’ decisions. The chaotic scene of the Africa Cup of Nations final in January, when Senegalese players temporarily left the field after a penalty was awarded to Morocco, served as a warning. According to the IFAB, referees will now have the authority to dismiss any player who leaves the pitch in protest, and officials who incite such actions may also be expelled. The most severe consequence? “A team that causes the abandonment of the match will, in principle, lose the game by forfeit.”
In addition to these measures, FIFA is preparing a revolution in the rules regarding the accumulation of yellow cards during the World Cup. To prevent stars from being punished outside of the most decisive matches, it is expected that yellow cards will be wiped clean twice during the tournament, ensuring greater participation of the best players in crucial moments of the competition.
These changes will come into effect at the expanded 48-team World Cup, which kicks off next summer in North America. FIFA promises official briefings for the participating teams in the coming weeks, laying the groundwork for a World Cup like never before, where discipline and fairness will be at the forefront.
Stay tuned: football is heading towards an era where transparency and strict control of behavior could redefine the very essence of the game. Controversy is on the horizon!
This article first appeared on Apito Final.
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