What are the World Cup rules on yellow and red cards?

Every player dreams of playing at a World Cup, so picking up a suspension and missing games would be a major blow.

But as all matches will have such high stakes in North America this summer, stars are sure to be putting it all on the line.

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Heavy tackles and plenty of the dark arts are expected to be on show all tournament and the officials are going to be kept very busy.

World Cup rules on yellow cards

Typically, at a World Cup, if a player receives a yellow card in two games before the quarter-finals, they receive a suspension.

So, that means by receiving two bookings in the group stage, or one in the group stage and one before the last eight matches, the players would be banned from their team’s next fixture.

However, it has not been confirmed whether this will be changed for the 2026 World Cup due to the expanded format.

This summer, a Round of 32 clash has been added to the schedule, so that could switch the boundary for the two yellows.

Yellow card tallies were wiped after the quarter-finals ended in Qatar four years ago – and it could remain the same in 2026.

That prevents multiple yellow cards from causing a suspension for the final, should a player’s nation make it.

World Cup rules on red cards

Despite the cut-off point for yellow cards, players can still miss the latter stages by receiving a red card.

If a player is sent off during a World Cup game, they will have to miss their nation’s next match at the tournament.

Depending on the nature of any red card, additional sanctions can be added on by FIFA if deemed necessary. 

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Any suspension received in the team’s final game of the competition will be carried over into their next official match. 

Major VAR changes

A major change for the 2026 World Cup when it comes to cards is that VAR will now have more power.

VAR will be able to check and review red cards that are given for incorrect second yellows.

This will prevent players from being wrongly sent off for two yellows, with it now possible for the card to be rescinded.

On top of that, VAR can intervene with potential mistaken identity.

This is when a referee penalises the incorrect team for an offence that leads to a red or yellow card for the wrong player.

Therefore, there will be 100 per cent certainty when it comes to which players potentially receive a suspension.