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Why was the Paraguayan player "covering his mouth" and sent off? -- In-depth analysis of the new World Cup regulations

01

Key updates to the red card rules for the 2026 World Cup

The 2026 World Cup has made partial adjustments to the red card rules, maintaining the original "direct red card" and "two yellow cards leading to a red" basis, while adding two new behaviors that can result in an immediate send-off. According to official FIFA explanations and summaries from multiple media outlets, this tournament explicitly classifies "covering mouth during conflict to hide dialogue" and "deliberately leaving the field to protest the referee" as direct red card offenses.

Specifically, "covering mouth equals red card" applies to players in confrontations, arguments, or provocation situations, where they use their hand, jersey, or other means to cover their mouth; referees do not need to verify the speech content before issuing a red card. Meanwhile, "leaving the field to protest" refers to players leaving the match area out of dissatisfaction with a decision, including heading toward the dressing room, also subject to red card punishment. Additionally, if the entire team protests to the extent that the match is interrupted and cannot be resumed, they will generally be penalized with a 0-3 loss.

These new regulations aim to curb disrespectful behavior and unsportsmanlike conduct on the field, improving match order. All sources indicate that these provisions have been officially implemented in the 2026 World Cup and approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB).

Serious fouls: such as kicking an opponent from behind with studs, targeting the legs or knees, endangering safety

Violent conduct: including punching, kicking, choking, spitting, biting, and other actions beyond competitive play

Obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO): as the last defender, committing a foul to prevent an imminent goal

02

Differences in judgment standards in controversial calls

Multiple controversial incidents reflect that referees may apply different standards when judging top stars versus ordinary players. The material points out that in the 2026 World Cup, top players like Messi and Mbappé are fouled an average of 1.2 times per game, but referees only penalize 60% of these fouls, compared to 78% for regular players. This "star whistle" phenomenon is mentioned in several cases.

For example, during Argentina vs. Algeria, Messi stepped on the opponent's calf from behind. Slow-motion footage shows his studs firmly on the Achilles tendon area, but the referee only called a foul without issuing a card, and VAR did not intervene. The Archivo VAR analysis agency stated: "This clearly should have resulted in a direct red card." However, some argue that the action occurred during a pressing situation, Messi immediately consoled the opponent afterward, and the overall refereeing was lenient, with Algeria also committing multiple fouls without punishment.

A similar situation occurred in Messi's friendly match against Australia, where his elbow strike and choking attempt only received a yellow card. Fans questioned: "If it were C Ronaldo, they'd be calling him a destroyer," while others cited rules stating that "as long as it’s not overly aggressive or causing injury, choking is a legal defensive technique." These disagreements highlight the subjectivity in rule enforcement.

03

VAR intervention mechanism and decision correction

The 2026 World Cup further expands VAR's intervention authority. Besides traditional goals, penalties, red cards, and mistaken identity, the new rules allow VAR to intervene in fouls committed before set-pieces (corner kicks, free kicks). If the attacking team pulls or tackles a defender before the ball is played, even if a goal is scored afterward, VAR can recommend the referee cancel the goal and award an indirect free kick to the defending team.

Additionally, VAR can be used to correct mistaken second yellow cards or red card decisions. For example, in the France-Brazil friendly, Upamecano, as the last defender, fouled a one-on-one attacker. The referee initially awarded a yellow card, but after VAR review, a straight red was given, fully complying with IFAB's DOGSO guidelines. This shows that VAR is not only for "error correction" but also an important tool for standardizing decision-making.

However, the "selective intervention" of VAR has also raised questions. In the Messi stepping incident, VAR did not initiate a review, while similar actions elsewhere might be severely punished, leading fans to suspect that "VAR remains silent only when it doesn't affect the stars."