England are preparing for their World Cup quarter-final against Norway in Miami, with victory putting them two wins away from their first trophy since 1966. However, several players must avoid a yellow card to be available for a potential semi-final.
How Yellow Cards Work in the Knockouts
Yellow cards are wiped after the quarter-final stage, meaning any player who accumulates two yellow cards in the Round of 32, Round of 16, or quarter-finals will be suspended for the semi-finals. A yellow card in the semi-final does not carry over to the final, so only a red card in the semi-final would rule a player out of the final.
England Players at Risk
Four England players are on a yellow card heading into the Norway clash: Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Harry Kane, and Nico O'Reilly. Bellingham was booked against DR Congo but avoided further cards against Mexico. Rice was cautioned within the first minute of the Round of 16 match against Mexico, while Kane and O'Reilly were also booked in the second half.
Red Card Rules
FIFA rules state that any red card, whether from two yellows or a straight red, results in a suspension for the following game. However, Jarrel Quansah's red card against Mexico initially carried a one-match ban, but FIFA increased it to two matches, meaning he will not play again until the final if England progress.
