Yellow cards reset? See the rules for the World Cup quarter-finals

The 2026 World Cup returns this Thursday (9) and, in addition to the search for places in the semi-finals, the teams need to pay attention if they don't want to lose their stars.

The eight teams that enter the field have prominent names that are yellowed and are at risk of losing the semi-final if they are punished again. This is because accumulated yellow cards are only erased at the end of the quarter-finals.

The measure adopted by FIFA, to reset yellow cards before the semi-finals, prevents players from being prevented from playing in the World Cup final just due to the accumulation of warnings.

What about red cards?
The cleaning rule only applies to accumulated yellow cards. Expulsions due to a direct red card or two yellow cards in the same match continue to generate automatic suspension for the following game, regardless of the stage of the tournament.

Embezzlement in the final
As a result, a player can only miss the 2026 World Cup final for disciplinary reasons if he is sent off during the semi-final. The accumulation of yellow cards, in itself, cannot prevent participation in the decision.

Quarter-final hangers

- England: Jude Bellingham, Nico O'Reilly, Declan Rice and Marc Guéhi
- Morocco: Issa Diop, Achraf Hakimi, Redouane Halhal and Bilal El Khannouss
- Switzerland: Denis Zakaria, Granit Xhaka and Miro Muheim
- France: Manu Koné and Michael Olise
- Argentina: Gonzalo Montiel
- Spain: Ferran Torres
- Norway: Antonio Nusa
- Belgium: Brandon Mechele

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Source: CNN