Players who cover their mouths when confronting opponents or leave the pitch in protest will face automatic red cards at the 2026 World Cup. This regulation change was confirmed by the International Football Association Board (Ifab) before the FIFA Congress in Vancouver. The new protocols aim to address issues arising from recent controversies, particularly following the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations final, where several Senegal players walked off the field after a contentious penalty decision. Ifab stated that referees could issue red cards to players leaving the field in protest, and this also applies to team officials who incite such actions. The decision to implement these rules in other competitions will be left to individual organizers. Concerns have been raised, particularly in European leagues, regarding the potential for players to be penalized when they may have been subjected to racist abuse. This issue gained attention after an incident involving Real Madrid's Vinícius Jr, who accused another player of racial abuse while covering his mouth. The FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, has called for stricter punishments for protests and racial abuse in football.