Overview
- IFAB unanimously changed the Laws at an extraordinary meeting in Vancouver, adding straight red cards for players who cover their mouth to hide discriminatory abuse.
- Leaving the field in protest now triggers a sending off, and team officials who urge players to walk off face the same sanction.
- The new measures take effect at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, Canada, and the United States, which runs from June 11 to July 19.
- FIFA and IFAB point to recent incidents, including Senegal’s exit during the Africa Cup of Nations final and Gianluca Prestianni’s covered‑mouth remark toward Vinícius that led to a six‑match UEFA ban.
- Referees will decide each case based on context and intent, and a team that causes a World Cup match to be stopped may forfeit the game.