Paraguay player Miguel Almiron sent off during World Cup match against Turkey

During the Group D match of the 2026 World Cup between Turkey and Paraguay, Paraguayan player Miguel Almiron was issued a red card. The dismissal occurred following a VAR review requested by Turkish players. The referee, Ivan Barton from El Salvador, penalized Almiron for covering his mouth while speaking to Turkish player Muldur. This action is reportedly prohibited under a new rule implemented for the 2026 tournament. While the incident resulted in an immediate expulsion, commentators noted that such actions would not have warranted disciplinary action under previous regulations. The match remains a focal point for the application of these updated tournament protocols.