England face Argentina in the World Cup semi-final in Atlanta on Tuesday evening, with a place in Sunday's final against Spain at stake. However, fears over yellow card suspensions for the final have been alleviated, as FIFA's amnesty rule means no England player will miss the showpiece if booked tonight.
Yellow Card Amnesty in Effect
Under FIFA regulations, yellow cards accumulated during the World Cup are wiped after the quarter-final stage. This means that any player who receives a yellow card in the semi-final will not be suspended for the final. Only a red card in tonight's match would result in a ban for the final.
Four England players entered the quarter-final against Norway with two yellow cards each, facing suspension for the semi-final if booked again: Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Marc Guehi, and Nico O'Reilly. Bellingham was booked against DR Congo in the group stage but avoided further cautions against Mexico and Norway. Rice was yellow-carded within the first minute of the Round of 16 match against Mexico, while Guehi and O'Reilly were also booked in that game. All four avoided a booking against Norway, ensuring they are available for the semi-final and now free from suspension risk for the final.
Only Suspended Player: Jarrel Quansah
The only England player suspended for the semi-final is defender Jarrel Quansah, who was sent off against Mexico in the Round of 16. Initially expected to miss only the quarter-final, FIFA extended his ban to two matches, ruling him out of the Norway game and the Argentina semi-final. Quansah, who plays for Bayer Leverkusen, will be eligible for the final should England qualify.
England manager Thomas Tuchel will have a full squad to choose from for the final, barring any red card in the semi-final. The team aims to reach their first World Cup final since 1966, when they won on home soil.
