Manchester City defenders Marc Guehi and Nico O'Reilly face the prospect of missing a potential World Cup semi-final if they receive a yellow card in England's quarter-final against Norway on Saturday. The pair, both part of Thomas Tuchel's squad, are at risk due to FIFA's revised rules on cumulative yellow cards introduced for the 2026 tournament.
FIFA's New Rule on Yellow Cards
FIFA changed the rules for the 2026 World Cup to account for the expanded 48-team format. All yellow cards were wiped clean after the group stage, and they will be wiped again after the quarter-finals. This means that any player who receives a yellow card in the quarter-final will be suspended for the semi-final if their team advances.
Guehi and O'Reilly both started England's dramatic 3-2 win over Mexico and received yellow cards within five minutes of each other in the second half. O'Reilly was substituted immediately after his booking, which could have been a red card for a potential elbow, according to Mexico's protests.
Impact on Tuchel's Selection
The threat of suspension could influence Tuchel's team selection for the match against Norway, which features Manchester City striker Erling Haaland. Guehi acknowledged the challenge of facing his club teammate, saying, "I know he'll be up for it. It'll be a challenge, but it's good to see some familiar faces and try and do our best and try and get a win. It's going to be fun, it will be fun."
England are aiming to reach the semi-final, where they would face either Argentina or Switzerland. Guehi and O'Reilly will need to avoid a yellow card against Norway to remain eligible for that match.
