The 2026 FIFA World Cup will introduce two new red card offenses: players covering their mouths during confrontations and leaving the field in protest. These changes follow incidents involving Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni and Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior.
Key points
Two new red card offenses introduced for the 2026 World Cup
Players covering their mouths during confrontations will be penalized
Leaving the field in protest will also result in a red card
Changes follow incidents involving Gianluca Prestianni and Vinicius Junior
Regulations approved by The International Football Association Board (IFAB)
Mentioned in this story
Gianluca PrestianniVinicius JuniorFIFAThe International Football Association Board
2026 FIFA World Cup
A pair of high-profile incidents have led to rule changes that will go into effect at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with players set to be shown a red card if they cover their mouths during a confrontation and also sent off if they leave the field in protest.
After being accused of racism, the Argentine defended himself by saying he had instead used homophobic language. The spat caused a 10-minute delay in the match that eventually resumed with Prestianni still on the field. He later was given a six-match ban for homophobic conduct.
Under regulations approved Tuesday, April 28 by The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the independent regulatory body which governs the laws of the game, Prestianni now would be sent off.
"At the discretion of the competition organizer, any player covering their mouth in a confrontational situation with an opponent may be sanctioned with a red card," a FIFA news release read.
"It's a bad gesture," Pierluigi Collina, chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, said in a statement. "We need to take care of how important the impact is of anything that happens on the field of play on the new generations of football players and football supporters, football fans. And this goes in that direction."
Q&A
What are the new red card offenses for the 2026 World Cup?
Players will receive a red card for covering their mouths during confrontations and for leaving the field in protest.
Why were these new rules implemented for the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
The rules were implemented following high-profile incidents, including one involving Gianluca Prestianni, to address discriminatory behavior and misconduct.
Who is Gianluca Prestianni and what incident led to the new rules?
Gianluca Prestianni is a Benfica winger who covered his mouth during a confrontation with Vinicius Junior, leading to a six-match ban for homophobic conduct.
When will the new red card rules take effect?
The new red card rules will take effect at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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(FILES) SL Benfica's Argentine forward #25 Gianluca Prestianni hides his mouth while arguing with Real Madrid's Brazilian forward #07 Vinicius Junior who complained about alleged racists insults during the UEFA Champions League knockout round play-off first leg football match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid CF at Estadio da Luz in Lisbon on February 17, 2026. UEFA on February 23, 2026 suspended midfielder Gialuca Prestianni from Benfica's Champions League play-off second leg against Real Madrid this week after he was accused of racially abusing Vinicius Junior.
(FILES) SL Benfica's Argentine forward #25 Gianluca Prestianni hides his mouth while arguing with Real Madrid's Brazilian forward #07 Vinicius Junior who complained about alleged racists insults during the UEFA Champions League knockout round play-off first leg football match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid CF at Estadio da Luz in Lisbon on February 17, 2026. UEFA on February 23, 2026 suspended midfielder Gialuca Prestianni from Benfica's Champions League play-off second leg against Real Madrid this week after he was accused of racially abusing Vinicius Junior.
The IFAB also agreed to a rules amendment that will allow referees to show players and officials a red card if they leave the field of play in protest of a decision or encourage players to do the same.
Senegal manager Pape Thiaw notably ordered his team to leave the field late in January's African Cup of Nations final against Morocco. The players returned to the field after a significant delay, only for Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy to save the disputed penalty.
Senegal won the match in extra time, only for the Confederation of African Football to rule months later that they had forfeited by walking off the field. The case is currently being appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The new law looks to be aimed at preventing a similar delay, with the manager and the players who leave the field now potentially being shown red.
"Now, the players would be considered as sent off. And also, those who instigate players to leave the field of play will be considered as sent off, and the team who abandoned the field of play will forfeit the match," Colina said.
"We need to do our best to protect the image of the game, in particular in a competition like the World Cup, which is the most viewed competition in sport around the world. It is a responsibility, so we need to do everything to make this World Cup, let's say, the best possible. And certainly, protecting the image is a key point."
FIFA noted it will communicate the rules update to the 48 teams taking part in the World Cup in the upcoming weeks.
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