England will have four players walking the disciplinary tightrope in their World Cup 2026 quarter-final against Norway. The Three Lions take on Norway in Miami on Saturday hoping to reach a second World Cup semi-final in three tournaments.
Tuchel's side faces suspension risks
Thomas Tuchel's side overcame Mexico in the last-16 to set up a meeting with Norway, though the England head coach will be wary of the suspension risks that hang over several players ahead of kick-off. Due to an extra round of games being added at this World Cup, because of the expansion from 32 teams to 48, FIFA have adjusted their yellow card laws.
In previous years, if a player received two yellow cards across any of the matches before the semi-final, they received an automatic one-game suspension. However, under FIFA's new regulations, yellow cards are wiped twice throughout the tournament. The first was after the group stage and the next will be after the quarter-finals.
Declan Rice escapes suspension
As such, Declan Rice is not suspended for the Norway game having picked up his second yellow card of the World Cup inside the opening minute against Mexico on Monday morning. This is because the yellow card the Arsenal midfielder received in England’s goalless draw against Ghana was wiped after the group stage.
Jude Bellingham, meanwhile, was booked during the 2-1 win over DR Congo in the round of 16 which means he is in the same boat as Rice in that a booking against Norway would rule him out of the semi-final through suspension - if England progress.
Other players on one yellow
Nico O’Reilly is also on one yellow card heading into the quarter-final, as is Marc Guehi after FIFA confirmed the yellow card issued in the 68th minute was for the central defender and not captain Harry Kane. Interestingly, both Guehi and Rice face a race against time to be available for England's World Cup quarter-final tie, meaning a decision may be taken out of Tuchel's hands.
Jordan Henderson is the other member of the England squad on one yellow card. Though, the midfielder is no longer a suspension risk as his tournament is over after undergoing surgery for a serious wrist injury sustained in freak fashion following the 3-2 win over Mexico.
Quansah serves ban
Jarell Quansah will miss the Norway game as he serves the first of a two-match ban for his sending-off against Mexico.
