Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón became the first player to be sent off during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches. The dismissal occurred during a game against Peru, stemming from Almirón making a “covering mouth” gesture towards the referee. The gesture appeared to be a protest against a prior officiating decision. FIFA regulations prohibit gestures deemed offensive or disrespectful towards match officials. The red card was issued swiftly following the incident, impacting Paraguay’s gameplay for the remainder of the match. This marks a notable moment as the first ejection of the qualifying campaign, highlighting the strict enforcement of conduct rules.