"Huh? He covered his mouth?" Bellingham's action in Ghana match causes controversy, FIFA reveals reason for 'No red card'

A controversial moment involving England's Jude Bellingham during the match against Ghana in the 2026 World Cup has sparked debate. Bellingham was observed covering his mouth while speaking to an opponent, a gesture that has drawn attention under the backdrop of new FIFA regulations.

One of the newly introduced rules for the 2026 North American World Cup stipulates that players must not cover their mouths when speaking to opponents, as such actions could lead to a red card. This rule reportedly stems from an incident in the UEFA Champions League in February, where Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni was accused of making homophobic remarks while covering his mouth when speaking to Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior.

FIFA has since clarified the reason behind Bellingham not receiving a red card for his actions. The explanation provided by the organization addresses the specific context and application of the rule in this particular instance, aiming to resolve the controversy surrounding the incident.