New rules and surprising turns at the World Cup

This year’s World Cup has already thrown more surprises than expected. One of the biggest shocks came when Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron got sent off for covering his mouth during a heated moment with a Turkish player. At first, it looked like a normal reaction, but the referee saw it as breaking new rules meant to stop players from hiding insults. FIFA introduced this change after a controversial Champions League match where a player covered his mouth, making it unclear what was said. While no racial slur was involved in Almiron’s case, the rule still stands—and players need to be careful about any sudden gestures. Beyond the red card, the World Cup has fresh rules to speed up the game. Goal kicks and throw-ins now have a five-second countdown to prevent time-wasting. If a player runs out of time on a throw-in, the other team gets the ball. If they take too long on a goal kick, the opponent earns a corner. VAR, soccer’s video referee, also has more power to fix mistakes, including overturning wrongly awarded corners. These changes aim to make the game fairer and faster, but they’ve left some fans scratching their heads.Spain’s opening match against Cape Verde ended in a dull 0-0 draw, surprising everyone after Spain dominated possession. Their next game against Saudi Arabia will test their patience, as the Saudis nearly pulled off an upset themselves. Meanwhile, Belgium and Iran are desperate for their first win, with Belgium relying on veteran striker Romelu Lukaku for a late goal against Egypt. Iran, on the other hand, has faced extra challenges, including fan disruptions during their national anthem. Father’s Day brought a touching moment when Norway defender Leo Østigård celebrated the birth of his first child via video call while preparing for his team’s match. His words about supporting his partner from afar showed the human side of the tournament. Norway isn’t the only team with a family connection—three players, including Erling Haaland, have fathers who played in the 1994 World Cup, making this year’s tournament a reunion of sorts. Goalkeepers have been the stars in some matches. Curaçao’s Eloy Room made 15 saves in a single game, a record for the World Cup. Meanwhile, Uruguay struggled in their opener but found their footing later. Cape Verde, the underdog, held Spain to a draw, proving that small nations can compete. The group stages are heating up, with surprises already shaping who moves forward—and who won’t make it past the first round.