Seventeen players will enter the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals one yellow card away from suspension, with another booking set to rule them out of a potential semi-final.
FIFA’s disciplinary rules state that any player who picks up a second yellow card of the tournament during the quarter-finals will be suspended for the semi-finals if their team progresses.
The list of players at risk grew following the conclusion of the Round of 16 on Tuesday, with 17 players now walking a disciplinary tightrope ahead of the last-eight clashes.
Morocco have the highest number of players facing a suspension threat, with Issa Diop, Achraf Hakimi, Redouane Halhal and Bilal El Khannouss all one booking away from a ban.
England are in a similar position, with Jude Bellingham, Nico O’Reilly, Declan Rice and Marc Guehi also at risk of missing the semi-finals should they receive another yellow card in the quarter-finals.
England will also be without Jarell Quansah for Saturday’s quarter-final against Norway after the defender was sent off in the Three Lions’ dramatic 3-2 victory over co-hosts Mexico in the Round of 16.
France pair Manu Kone and Michael Olise are also walking a disciplinary tightrope, with another yellow card set to rule them out of a potential semi-final.
Switzerland’s Granit Xhaka, Denis Zakaria and Miro Muheim face the same risk, while Spain’s Ferran Torres, Norway’s Antonio Nusa, Belgium’s Brandon Mechele and Argentina’s Gonzalo Montiel complete the list of players one booking away from suspension.
All 17 players must avoid another yellow card in the quarter-finals to remain available should their teams advance to the last four.