FIFA World Cup 2026 — Two rule changes introduced after Prestianni and AFCON final controversies The International Football Association Board (IFAB) unanimously approved two FIFA-proposed Law amendments to address discriminatory and inappropriate behaviour at a special meeting held in Vancouver, Canada, on Tuesday.
“These amendments will be implemented at the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, and all other competition organisers will be able to decide whether to implement the changes before they enter into force on 1 July 2026,” Gianni Infantino said on social media.
Firstly, 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.
The rule comes after Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior accused Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of racially abusing him while covering his mouth during a Champions League match in February.
Last week, UEFA handed Prestianni a six-game ban for the verbal abuse, which it said were homophobic in nature.
If Prestianni is selected for Argentina’s World Cup squad, he could have to sit out the defending champion’s first two matches this summer, although the ban can be appealed.
The second change pertains to preventing players from leaving the field mid-game.
“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,” the IFAB said in a statement.
“A team that causes a match to be abandoned will, in principle, forfeit the match.”
This change comes after the controversial African Cup of Nations final, wherein most of Senegal’s players and staff had walked off the field in protest for a penalty decision given against them.
The play resumed after a short break, and Senegal won the match in extra time. However, FIFA later awarded the trophy to Morocco, punishing Senegal for the walkout.
Published on Apr 29, 2026
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The International Football Association Board (IFAB) unanimously approved two FIFA-proposed Law amendments to address discriminatory and inappropriate behaviour at a special meeting held in Vancouver, Canada, on Tuesday.
“These amendments will be implemented at the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, and all other competition organisers will be able to decide whether to implement the changes before they enter into force on 1 July 2026,” Gianni Infantino said on social media.
Firstly, 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.
The rule comes after Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior accused Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of racially abusing him while covering his mouth during a Champions League match in February.
Last week, UEFA handed Prestianni a six-game ban for the verbal abuse, which it said were homophobic in nature.
If Prestianni is selected for Argentina’s World Cup squad, he could have to sit out the defending champion’s first two matches this summer, although the ban can be appealed.
The second change pertains to preventing players from leaving the field mid-game.
“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,” the IFAB said in a statement.
“A team that causes a match to be abandoned will, in principle, forfeit the match.”
This change comes after the controversial African Cup of Nations final, wherein most of Senegal’s players and staff had walked off the field in protest for a penalty decision given against them.
The play resumed after a short break, and Senegal won the match in extra time. However, FIFA later awarded the trophy to Morocco, punishing Senegal for the walkout.
Published on Apr 29, 2026
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