• IFAB approved red card penalties for players covering their mouths during verbal confrontations.
• The rule follows incidents involving verbal abuse during recent matches.
• Players leaving the pitch in protest can also face red cards.
• All 48 World Cup teams will be informed of these changes ahead of the tournament.
• The World Cup kicks off on June 11 in North America.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has approved new rules allowing referees to issue red cards to players who cover their mouths during confrontations on the pitch. This decision, made at a meeting in Vancouver, Canada, aims to address issues of inappropriate behavior and will be effective from the upcoming World Cup, starting June 11, 2026, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, according to NPR and Al Jazeera.

This new regulation follows recent controversies, notably the incident involving Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni, who was accused of making racially charged insults toward Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior while attempting to conceal his mouth. UEFA has since issued Prestianni a six-game ban for verbal abuse, which was classified as homophobic. The decision underscores the significance of maintaining proper conduct during games, states Africanews.

Moreover, IFAB has stipulated that any player who leaves the field in protest of a referee's decision may also face a red card. This measure was influenced by the actions of the Senegal national team, who walked off during the Africa Cup of Nations final over a controversial penalty decision. The rule is intended to deter players and officials from protesting in this manner, ensuring the integrity of the match is upheld, as per NPR and Africanews.

IFAB confirmed that while the new rules will not be mandatory, they afford competition organizers, like FIFA, the authority to implement them at their discretion. All teams participating in the World Cup will receive detailed information regarding these amendments in advance of the tournament, ensuring clarity in enforcement during matches, according to Al Jazeera.