Ecuador's Piero Hincapie became the second player dismissed at the 2026 World Cup for covering his mouth during a confrontation with an opponent, after being sent off in his side's 2-0 defeat to Mexico on Tuesday.

The Arsenal defender, 24, shielded his mouth while exchanging words with Mexico's Santiago Gimenez late in stoppage time, with Ecuador already trailing and on the brink of elimination. Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic initially missed the incident but reviewed it on the pitchside monitor after being directed to do so by the video assistant referee (VAR), and subsequently produced a red card.

Almiron led the way

Hincapie is the second player to be punished under Fifa's new rule for this tournament, following Paraguay winger Miguel Almiron, who was sent off for the same offence in the group stage against Turkey. Despite losing Almiron, Paraguay held on to win that match 1-0.

Last week, England midfielder Jude Bellingham avoided a red card after covering his mouth in conversation with Ghana's Jordan Ayew. Fifa's head of referees Pierluigi Collina had previously clarified that players were allowed to cover their mouths during friendly conversations — the rule was designed to punish confrontational exchanges.

The rule's origins