Almirón suspended, Vera ejected in chaotic Paraguay fallout

Almirón suspended for Australia clash

Paraguay beat Turkey 1–0 in the group stage, but it came at a cost. Miguel Almirón received a red card and will miss Friday's decisive match against Australia (1). The card came under FIFA's new anti-racism rule, Almirón covered his mouth while speaking to Turkey's Mert Müldür (1). The suspension is for one match only (1).

It is the first red card issued under this rule at the 2026 World Cup (1). Your team goes into the Australia match without its most dangerous player.

Commentator stripped of credentials after on-air tirade

Paraguayan journalist Jorge 'Chipi' Vera lost his FIFA accreditation after an extraordinary rant during the Turkey match (2) (3) (5). Vera shouted at FIFA president Gianni Infantino on air: "Infantino, you are responsible for this! Thieves, thieves! They are killing football!" (2) (3).

FIFA revoked his credentials immediately (5). Vera was commentating for Paraguayan media when the red card triggered the outburst (2).

Australia want schools to show the match

Socceroos defender Jason Geria has called on Australian schools to broadcast Friday's game against Paraguay. "Let them watch it," he said (4).

Australia need only a draw to advance. Your team may still go through with a narrow defeat depending on other results, but the margin is thin. The stakes could hardly be higher.

Fan-reaktioner

Paraguayan fans on Reddit are rallying around Vera. One thread is flooded with supporters calling his rant the most honest moment of the tournament, plenty of comments say he simply said what everyone was thinking. The clip is circulating widely. Watch the rant here