FIFA to make two unprecedented changes to red card rules for World Cup

The 2026 World Cup is set to be a tournament of change and fresh beginnings as FIFA are set to make several changes to the competition.

Football fans will be well aware of the expansion of the tournament from 32 teams to 48; it will also be the first time three nations have hosted the competition as Mexico, Canada and the United States perform this duty.

However, there is set to be further changes announced ahead of the competition, and it is being reported that on Thursday FIFA president Gianni Infantino will two significant updates regarding red cards, as reported by the Times.

The first is that FIFA is set to impose red cards for players who cover their mouth when confronting an opponent at the World Cup.

It is believed that a key incident behind the rule change comes after Real Madrid’s Vinícius Jr accused Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of racially abusing him during a Champions League game in February.

Vinícius Júnior of Real Madrid CF and Gianluca Prestianni of SL Benfica argue during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off First Leg match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid C.F. (Getty Images)

The Argentine has strongly denied the claim by the Brazilian regarding the racist allegation.

Meanwhile, the other rule change sees players being given a red card instantly for leaving the pitch in protest at a referee’s decision.

This decision is clearly inspired by the controversy of the Africa Cup of Nations final, when Senegal left the pitch for several minutes after a controversial penalty was awarded to the hosts, Morocco, before going on to win the match.

Since then, Senegal have been stripped of their title after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) appeal board awarded the trophy to Morocco due to the actions of Senegal; however, the sub-Saharan nation are challenging this decision in the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

These rules are set to only be imposed for the World Cup, at least to begin with, because they would have to be passed by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to be part of the Laws of the Game.