The IFAB unanimously approves red card for players covering their mouths to conceal discriminatory behaviour

• Red card also introduced for players leaving the field of play or officials inciting them to do so in protest at a referee’s decision
• Measures to be implemented at the FIFA World Cup 2026™

At a Special Meeting held in Vancouver, Canada, The IFAB unanimously approved two FIFA-proposed Law amendments to address discriminatory and inappropriate behaviour.

As was agreed at The IFAB’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in February, these decisions follow thorough FIFA-led consultations with all key stakeholders.

Players covering their mouths in situations of confrontation with opponents

At the discretion of the competition organiser, any player covering their mouth in a confrontational situation with an opponent may be sanctioned with a red card.

Players leaving the field of play in protest at a referee’s decision

At the discretion of the competition organiser, the referee may sanction with a red card any player who leaves the field of play in protest at a referee's decision. This new rule will also apply to any team official who incites players to leave the field of play.

A team that causes a match to be abandoned will, in principle, forfeit the match.

These amendments will be communicated to the 48 participating teams at the FIFA World Cup 2026™ in the coming weeks.

GFA COMMUNICATIONS via IFAB