Seventeen players, including four England internationals, are walking a disciplinary tightrope heading into the World Cup quarter-finals. Any player who receives a yellow card in their last-eight match will be suspended for the semi-finals should their team progress.
Tournament Yellow Card Rules
According to the official regulations for the expanded World Cup, players who receive two yellow cards before the quarter-finals face an automatic one-match ban. Cautions were wiped after the group stage and will be wiped again after the quarter-finals to protect players for the final. This means that a booking in the quarter-finals carries the heaviest penalty: missing the semi-final.
England's Disciplinary Headache
Thomas Tuchel's squad is brimming with confidence after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Mexico, but several key starters are just one mistimed tackle away from a devastating suspension. Four major England stars are confirmed to be on this warning list as they prepare to face Norway on Saturday night.
Declan Rice: The Arsenal midfielder, who serves as the primary anchor in the middle of the pitch, is often tasked with breaking up opposition counter-attacks. He is one card away from a semi-final ban, meaning he will need to time his tackles perfectly during the 3pm kick-off against Norway.
Jude Bellingham: The Real Madrid playmaker has been instrumental to his nation's success, but he is currently carrying a dangerous yellow card into the next tie. Bellingham has been in stunning form, forming a lethal double-act with Harry Kane.
Nico O'Reilly: The young Manchester City star has unexpectedly found himself on the suspension list alongside his more experienced international teammates. If he receives a booking in the upcoming fixture in Miami, it would be a heartbreaking setback for his breakout World Cup campaign.
Marc Guehi: The Manchester City defender is also at risk of missing the semi-finals should he receive a booking. The good news is that yellow cards will reset after the semi-finals, meaning picking up a booking in that match will not lead to a suspension for the final.
International Stars at Risk
The list of 17 players extends far beyond the English squad and includes several high-profile names from rival nations. Prominent figures such as Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi and Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka are also facing the exact same precarious situation as the tournament advances.
Full List of 17 Players at Risk of a World Cup Semi-Final Ban
- Issa Diop - Morocco
- Achraf Hakimi - Morocco
- Bilal El Khannouss - Morocco
- Redouane Halhal - Morocco
- Nico O'Reilly - England
- Declan Rice - England
- Marc Guehi - England
- Jude Bellingham - England
- Manu Kone - France
- Michael Olise - France
- Granit Xhaka - Switzerland
- Denis Zakaria - Switzerland
- Miro Muheim - Switzerland
- Ferran Torres - Spain
- Antonio Nusa - Norway
- Brandon Mechele - Belgium
- Gonzalo Montiel - Argentina
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