The incident happened during Paraguay’s match against Turkey when the 32-year-old midfielder was seen covering his mouth with his hand while speaking to Turkish defender Mert Müldür.
According to match reports, the Turkish player alerted match officials about the exchange. The incident was then reviewed using the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system.
After examining the footage, referee Iván Barton decided to send Almirón off, making him the first player to be punished under the tournament's newly introduced communication regulations.
The red card came in the first half when Paraguay was already leading 1-0. Despite being reduced to ten men for the entire second half, the South American side managed to defend its advantage and secure a hard-fought victory over Turkey.
The incident has drawn significant attention because it is linked to one of the new rules being tested during the 2026 World Cup. The regulation allows officials to investigate situations where players intentionally hide conversations on the field by covering their mouths.
Under the trial rule, such behavior can be considered a serious offense if match officials believe it violates competition regulations, with punishments ranging up to a red card depending on the evidence reviewed.
Football analysts and fans have since debated the decision, with some supporting the effort to increase transparency on the pitch while others question whether the rule could lead to controversial disciplinary actions in future matches.
Paraguay's victory ultimately overshadowed the incident, but Almirón's dismissal is likely to remain one of the most talked-about moments of the tournament so far.