FIFA confirm new red card rules for 2026 World Cup

The 2026 World Cup is fast approaching, with this summer's tournament set to be the biggest-ever version of the competition.

48 teams will head to the US, Canada and Mexico, and they'll be faced with some new rules after FIFA Council confirmed the changes they are implementing at the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver.

And the clear message to players headed to the finals is to watch your mouth as they clamp down on player conduct. 
 

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What new rules have been put in place for the FIFA World Cup? 

Covering your mouth on a football pitch has become second nature for players wary of lip readers and cameras. At this summer's finals, it could cost you.

One of the new rules put in place is that a red card will now be bandished if a referee feels players are covering their mouths when speaking to opponents in situations of confrontation. 

Players will also be sent off if they leave the field of play when protesting against a referee's decision. 

There was also a change to the suspension rule for yellow cards ahead of the expanded format of this summer's tournament. 

Under the current rules, a team would have to play five matches before reaching the last eight, and two bookings in any of those matches would result in suspension. However, cards will now be wiped from the record after the first three group games and again at the quarter-final stage.

Dan Mullan/Getty Images

More money, too 

There are also positive changes to the financial reward for the 48 teams competing across North America. 

FIFA have agreed to increase the resources that will be distributed to all 48 participating teams by a further 15%, totalling $871 million.

The increased pot will consist of;

• Preparation money: increase from $1.5 million to $2.5 million 
• Qualification money: increase from $9 million to $10 million
• Additional team contributions: subsidies for team delegation costs and increased team ticketing allocations totalling over $16 million

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