Players who cover mouths or leave pitch could be red carded at World Cup

Players at this summer's football World Cup could face a red card if they cover their mouths when speaking to players from the opposite team.

The change is part of a new plan aimed at tackling racism in the game.

In addition, players who decide to leave the pitch in protest at a decision made by the referee could also be red carded.

The 2026 World Cup kicks off on 11 June, and will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Read on to find out more about the new rules...

The decision was taken during a special meeting of the International Football Association Board (Ifab), who are in charge of the game's laws.

Ifab said that competitions can choose whether to use these new rules or not.

Football's world governing body, Fifa, has confirmed that they will be used at this summer's World Cup.

The changes have been brought in after two separate, recent incidents.

The issue of players covering their mouths stems from a Champions League match between Benfica and Real Madrid which took place in February this year.

Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni raised his shirt while speaking to Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr during the match.

Prestianni was accused of racist abuse towards Vinicius Jr, and following a Uefa investigation, he received a six-match ban for the incident.

At the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) final in January, several of Senegal's players walked off the pitch in the 98th minute of the game.

This was in protest that their goal earlier in the game had been disallowed, and at Morocco being given a late stoppage time penalty which they felt was unfair.

The match was paused for 17 minutes, during which former Liverpool winger Sadio Mane encouraged his team-mates to return.

Senegal went on to win the game 1-0 and lift the trophy.

However in March, Morocco were declared the winners of the competition after the Confederation of African Football (Caf) overturned the result of the final, following Senegal's controversial walk-off.

At this summer's World Cup, the decision will be left up to the referee to decide what's best to do and consider all circumstances before issuing a red card.

The opening match of the tournament will take place on 11 June in Mexico City, with the final set for 19 July in New Jersey.

It is being expanded to include 48 teams for the first time in its history, and as a result it will last a record 39 days.