Players on notice at the World Cup: those who could miss the round of 32
Big names such as Pedri, Casemiro, Bernardo Silva or Summerville face a real risk of missing the first knockout round.
The 2026 World Cup has already reached a historic total of eight red cards, an unprecedented figure after just the first two matchdays of the group stage. Among them was Almirón’s sending-off, the first for covering his mouth with his hand while speaking to an opponent. It was the first dismissal under one of the new rules introduced for this World Cup by IFAB and FIFA.
The tournament’s disciplinary regulations have also had a notable impact. A player who accumulates two yellow cards is suspended for one World Cup match. In a tournament where a team can play a maximum of eight matches, including the final, missing even a single game can be costly. As a result, players have been more cautious, with fewer protests and greater restraint when committing fouls. The message has been received.
Heading into the final group-stage matches, a total of 94 players are one booking away from suspension. If any of them receive another yellow card, they will miss their team’s potential first knockout-stage match.
Players on notice:
Spain: Pedri
Egypt: Fatouh, Attia, Lashin
Canada: Alistair Johnston, De Fougerolles, Cornelius
Morocco: Diop
South Africa: Sibisi, Mbatha
Ivory Coast: Kessié, Guela Doué, Seko Fofana
Ghana: Yirenkyi, Iñaki Williams
Cape Verde: Kastaneer, Juninho Bacuna, Gaari, Leandro Bacuna, Comenencia, Borges
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Lukic, Demirovic, Katic, Dedic, Dzeko
Croatia: Petar Sucic
Scotland: Andy Robertson, Curtis, Hickey, Mclean
Austria: Posch, Laimer, Sabitzer
Netherlands: Summerville, Depay, Van de Ven
Portugal: Bernardo Silva, Renato Veiga, Tomás Araújo, Semedo
England: Rice
Belgium: Lukaku, Castagne, De Cuyper
Australia: Souttar, Circati, Italiano, Bos
Sweden: Gudmundsson, Ayari, Bergvall
New Zealand: Singh, McCowatt
Switzerland: Zakaria, Elvedi
Czech Republic: Krejci
Saudi Arabia: Kanno, Al Amri, Salem Al Dawsari
South Korea: Kang In-Lee, Gihyuk Lee, Seungho Paik
Algeria: Zerrouki
Qatar: Gaber, Abunada, Fathy
Iran: Hajisafi, Ezatolahi
Uzbekistan: Khusanov
DR Congo: Pickel, Mbemba
Brazil: Douglas Santos, Roger Ibáñez, Casemiro
Argentina: Medina, Paredes
Colombia: Lerma, Lucumí, Mójica
Ecuador: Alcívar, Porozo
Paraguay: Galarza, Diego Gómez, Arce, Cáceres, Júnior Alonso
U.S.: Chris Richards, Tyler Adams, Balogun, Antonee Robinson
Mexico: Brian Gutiérrez
Uruguay: Bentancur, Mathias Olivera
Yellow cards are wiped clean after the group stage, and a new two-card accumulation cycle begins that runs until the end of the quarter-finals, when cautions are reset once again. This ensures that no player can miss a potential final because of an accumulation of yellow cards. However, a player can still be suspended for the final if they receive a red card in the semi-finals.
Related stories
How Scotland can make history in Miami
The only way USMNT vs Mexico can happen at the World Cup
Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.
Complete your personal details to comment