FIFA tightens World Cup conduct codes with new red card provisions for protests and alleged abuse
The governing body confirms stricter sanctions for players leaving the field in protest or concealing their faces during confrontations, with enforcement left to tournament organisers.
FIFA has confirmed a series of new disciplinary measures for the 2026 World Cup, introducing red card sanctions for players who leave the field of play in protest at a referee's decision. The announcement follows a meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in Vancouver ahead of the tournament scheduled to commence in June across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Under the updated protocols, any player who departs the pitch to protest a refereeing call faces immediate dismissal. This provision extends to team officials who are found to have incited players to walk off the field. Furthermore, the governing body stated that a team responsible for causing a match to be abandoned will forfeit the game.
In a separate but related development, the rules now allow for red cards to be issued to players who cover their mouths during confrontational situations with opponents. FIFA noted that the application of this specific sanction is at the discretion of the competition organiser. President Gianni Infantino argued that there must be a presumption that a player covering their mouth has said something they should not have, as one would not conceal their face if they had nothing to hide.
These regulatory changes come in the wake of significant controversy surrounding the Gianluca Prestianni incident, where the Benfica winger was accused of racially abusing Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior while covering his face during a Champions League fixture. Although Prestianni denied the allegations, he was subsequently banned for conduct deemed homophobic, prompting calls for stricter enforcement from officials including Infantino.
The decision to tighten conduct codes also responds to the recent uproar following the Africa Cup of Nations final. Senegal's players, head coach Pape Thiaw, and his staff walked off the pitch in Rabat after Morocco were awarded a penalty in added time, despite Senegal eventually winning the match 1-0 in extra time. The Confederation of African Football subsequently stripped Senegal of the title, a move that FIFA now seeks to prevent through new laws regarding walk-offs.
The law changes were finalised as delegates gathered in Vancouver ahead of the FIFA Congress. While the measures aim to curb racism and maintain order, the reliance on the competition organiser's discretion regarding the mouth-covering rule suggests that the strictness of enforcement may vary depending on the final decisions made by the tournament hosts.
