The referees have been active at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
It took only 27 games across seven days for officials to allocate more red cards than they did during each of the entire 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups. The record for red cards in a single World Cup stands at 28 in 2006. These moments led to penalty kicks, set pieces outside the box and offenses capitalizing on shorthanded opponents.
FOX Sports rules analyst Mark Clattenburg weighed in on the increase in red cards
“Players are well-behaved, but they’re just making mistakes in and around the penalty area, in maybe a panic,” Clattenburg said. “And not saying the players getting inside the penalty area and conceding the penalties are more than happy to commit a foul and commit a red card, knowing that they miss the next match, but now that they have 26 players on the roster, there are plenty of players to certainly cover [those] positions.”
The record for red cards in a single World Cup is 28 in the 2006 edition of the tournament, and nine of those were straight red cards.
- 2026: 13 red cards (13 straight reds)
- 2022: 4 red cards (1 straight red)
- 2018: 4 red cards (2 straight reds)
- 2014: 10 red cards (7 straight reds)
- 2010: 17 red cards (9 straight reds)
- 2006: 28 red cards (9 straight reds)
Here’s a look at every red card and the impact they’ve had on the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Jarell Quansah
The red cards continued during this year’s World Cup as England defender Jarell Quansah was shown one during England’s Round of 16 matchup against Mexico. In the 52nd minute, Quansah challenged Mexico defender Jesús Gallardo, sliding directly into his shin and wiping him out of the play completely
Moments later, the referee brandished the red card. Quansah was sent marching, registering the 13th red card of this World Cup
Folarin Balogun
Forward · United States
Balogun scored USA’s first goal against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32 match, but arguably just as big a moment for him was getting dealt a red card in the 64th minute of the match. Referees reviewed the moment when he stepped on a Bosnian defender’s ankle, and Balogun was sent off, putting the USA down a man in the win-or-go-home match.
The almost-25-year-old Balogun was the first player to score a goal and receive a red card in a World Cup knockout match since Zinedine Zidane against Italy in the 2006 final
Piero Hincapié
Defender · Ecuador
This was another example of a player being penalized for covering their mouth while engaging with an opposing player. Late against Mexico in the round of 32 match, Ecuador’s Hincapié was sent off in second-half stoppage time after having an exchange with an El Tri player. It didn’t impact the game much, as Ecuador soon lost, 2-0. But it’s a new rule that’s catching players off guard.
Agustín Canobbio
Uruguay vs. Spain
Agustín Canobbio’s temper flared as Uruguay was on the brink of elimination. He earned a straight red card a spikes-up tackle on Spain’s Pau Cubarsí, before storming off the pitch. Canobbio’s harsh booking was the build of that foul and an infringement he committed minutes earlier when he made contact with American referee Ismail Elfath arguing a foul that was committed on Spain’s Nico Williams
Rebin Sulaka
Defender · Iraq
This one didn’t help Iraq in its 5-0 blowout loss to Senegal in the teams’ group-stage finale. But within the first 13 minutes, Iraq defender Rebin Sulaka was dealt a red card, following a VAR review that ultimately determined he denied an obvious goalscoring opportunity for Senegal. However, Senegal wasn’t able to convert on the ensuing free kick. It was the fourth-fastest red card in World Cup history
Nathan Ngoy
Belgium vs. Iran
Nathan Ngoy was shown a straight red card in the 67th minute for his careless tackle on Iran striker Mehdi Taremi. At the time he was shown his red card, Belgium and Iran were still scoreless
Miguel Almiron
Paraguay vs. Türkiye
Miguel Almiron was sent off right before halftime in Paraguay’s match against Türkiye after a VAR check determined that he said something while covering his mouth to an opposing player.
Assim Madibo
Qatar vs. Switzerland
Madibo made an ill-timed tackle in the midfield on Canada’s Ismaël Koné. Koné was ultimately stretchered off the pitch as Qatar was reduced to nine men.
Homam Ahmed
Qatar vs. Switzerland
With Canada taking an early 2-0 lead, Homam Ahmed’s desperate tackle on Tajon Buchanan just outside the box only made matters worse. Canada scored moments later against a 10-man Qatar side to increase the advantage to 3-0.
Tarik Muharemović
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Switzerland
Tarik Muharemović tackled Swiss striker Breel Embolo on the precipice of the 18-yard box, preventing a one-on-one between Embolo and the goalkeeper. Switzerland didn’t convert the ensuing set piece, but with Bosnia and Herzegovina down to 10 men, the Swiss went on to score three late goals and close out a 4-1 victory.
César Montes
Mexico vs. South Africa
As tempers boiled in the opening match, Mexico made it a three-red-card affair. César Montes took down Khuliso Mudau in an attacking position in the second minute of injury time. South Africa couldn’t capitalize on the set piece, and the match ended with a 2-0 Mexico victory
Themba Zwane
South Africa vs. Mexico
Themba Zwane was sent off for making contact with Brian Gutiérrez in the head during a South African attack. He put his team in a stick situation, down to nine men. Zwane’s suspension was extended from the normal one game to three after FIFA ruled it fell under Article 14’s rule for violent contact.
Sphephelo Sithole
South Africa vs. Mexico
In the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening match, Sithole took down Mexico’s Brian Gutierrez just outside the box, earning a red card as the last line of defense between Gutierrez and the goalkeeper. Sithole’s red card led to a free kick from a threatening position, but Mexico couldn’t convert. However, in the 67th minute, Mexico capitalized on the one-man advantage as Raúl Jiménez scored his first World Cup goal.
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