Jackson Irvine Backs FIFA’s New Mouth-Covering Rule After Historic World Cup Red Card

Socceroos midfielder Jackson Irvine has voiced his support for FIFA’s stringent new rule penalizing players for covering their mouths when speaking on the field, a policy that led to Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón receiving a historic red card at the 2026 World Cup. The forward was sent off during Paraguay’s match against Turkey for violating the regulation, which aims to curb unsportsmanlike conduct.

Irvine, who is part of Fifpro’s global player council, stated that players were adequately informed about the rule change prior to the tournament. He believes the decision, though potentially controversial, is justified, especially in light of past incidents.

“I know it’s going to be controversial in some ways because we don’t know the nature of what [the comment] was, but when you look at what’s happened in the past, especially around what happened with Vinícius Júnior, I think it takes everything out of the equation,” Irvine commented.

The incident echoes a prior controversy involving Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni and Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior earlier this year. While Prestianni was not sent off in that Champions League match, he was later banned for six matches for using homophobic language, with the referee unable to assess the on-field behavior via video evidence due to the mouth-covering. The International Football Association Board, responsible for the laws of the game, officially approved the introduction of red cards for such conduct in April.

Irvine emphasized that Almirón should have no grounds for complaint, stating, “If you’re saying something to someone that you don’t want to be seen, then I think it’s safe to say that if you can’t be seen saying it, then it shouldn’t be said. For me, it’s a clear line on the rule, and we were all told about it, so it is what it is.”

Key facts
| Fact | Detail |
|—|—|
| Player penalized | Miguel Almirón (Paraguay) |
| Offense | Covering mouth during player interaction |
| Competition | FIFA World Cup 2026 |
| Consequence | Historic red card, suspension for next match |
| Player’s stance | Backed FIFA’s rule enforcement |

Crucial Group D Showdown

The red card for Almirón presents a significant boost for the Socceroos as they prepare to face Paraguay in a crucial final Group D match at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium. The winner of this fixture will likely secure second place in the group, while the loser faces an anxious wait to see if they can advance as one of the best third-placed teams.

Despite the absence of Almirón, Paraguay enters the match with confidence following their 1-0 victory over Turkey. However, they must defeat Australia to leapfrog them in the standings. A third-place finish may still be sufficient for qualification, depending on results in other groups.

Irvine anticipates a challenging encounter against the South American side, noting Australia’s historical struggles against such opponents in World Cups. “Australia has never beaten a South American side at a World Cup,” he noted. He expects Paraguay to be physical, skillful, and unpredictable, describing their style as “expect the unexpected.”

He cited a moment from Paraguay’s match against Turkey, where, despite leading 1-0 with five minutes remaining, a Paraguayan player chose to whip in a cross instead of running down the clock, attempting to score again. This exemplified their aggressive and individualistic approach.

Improving Australia’s Start

Irvine also highlighted the need for the Socceroos to improve their performance in the opening stages of matches, particularly in engaging in duels and physical contests. “The main thing that we have to get better from the first half is just being able to come into the duels and arrive – in the physical side of the game – a little bit better, and ride through those difficult moments,” he said.

He acknowledged that playing at the highest level involves periods of defensive pressure and suffering, and the team must find ways to navigate these challenging moments effectively. The upcoming match against Paraguay will undoubtedly test Australia’s ability to adapt and overcome adversity.

Source: The Guardian Sport, https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/21/australias-jackson-irvine-has-no-sympathy-for-paraguay-after-historic-world-cup-red-card

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