The 2026 World Cup kicks off on June 11, with co-hosts Mexico opening the tournament against South Africa in what promises to be a historic curtain-raiser.
As teams prepare for football’s biggest stage, discipline will be just as important as talent. Players aiming to go deep into the competition must avoid unnecessary bookings, as both yellow and red cards can have serious consequences for squad availability.
Yellow card accumulation could derail a nation’s progress at crucial moments, while a single red card may prove even more damaging to a team’s World Cup hopes.
Below is a breakdown of how suspensions will work at the 2026 tournament.
How do yellow cards work at the World Cup?
