Already more red cards than during previous World Cups

Is it mainly hard tackles or is it about unrelenting referees? The 2026 World Cup has already produced more red cards than the previous two tournaments in Russia and Qatar. And while this World Cup is still only in the group stage. Only four red cards were given at the World Cups in Russia and Qatar, while the count already stands at six this tournament.

During the opening match between Mexico and South Africa, three red cards were immediately handed out and in the matches between Bosnia and Switzerland last night and Canada and Qatar last night, a total of three players also received red cards.

And then there was the controversial one Foul by Lionel Messi. The Argentinian star was especially praised after his opening match against Algeria, which made him the shared World Cup top scorer of all time. But shouldn’t he have been sent off in the first half?

2006 World Cup

It was more than twenty years ago that three players were sent off in one match during a World Cup. This happened during the tournament in 2006, where a total of 28 players were sent off the field.

That was a remarkable tournament: in three different matches, three or more players received a red card. And most Dutch football fans will also remember the eighth final between Portugal and the Netherlands, in which the record of four red cards in one match was set. Costinha, Boulahrouz, Deco and Van Bronckhorst all had to leave the field prematurely. The Netherlands eventually lost the match 1-0.

Will the 2026 World Cup go back to that time? Will the tournament be remembered for the red cards that were thrown at the players?

New rules

In the run-up to this World Cup new rules set which means that players can now receive a red card for things where this was not the case before.

For example, a player can get a red card if he covers his mouth during a conflict. This rule was introduced after an incident involving Benfica striker Gianluca Prestianni. He was banned for six matches after admitting using homophobic language against Real Madrid player Vinícius Jr during a Champions League match in February. Prestianni covered his mouth so that what he said could not be seen.

Another new rule emerged from the controversy surrounding the African Cup of Nations final on January 18. Senegal defeated Morocco 1-0 in a match that was overshadowed by a penalty incident. The Senegalese players refused to continue playing after Morocco were awarded a penalty in injury time.

After a delay of about 17 minutes, the players finally returned to the field. In March, Morocco was declared the winner after the African Football Confederation (CAF) overturned the result because the Senegalese players had not been allowed to leave the field. That is why the rule at this World Cup is that a player can get a red card if he leaves the field to protest against a decision by the referee.

More matches

For the time being, all red cards seem to have been rightly given. In almost all cases it involved a tackle that was far too hard or the denial of a clear scoring opportunity. A red card for the new rules has not yet been given.

The final total must also take into account the larger number of matches that will be played in this tournament. The expansion to 48 participating countries means that teams will play 72 matches in the group stage and 32 in the knockout stage, for a total of 104. During previous World Cups, a total of 64 matches were played.

With 76 matches to go in the US, Canada and Mexico, there is a good chance that more red cards will be issued. But will the number of 28 red cards from the 2006 World Cup be achieved? The rest of the tournament will have to tell.

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