England are in a precarious position when it comes to discipline at the World Cup, with certain players in danger of missing the semi-finals if the Three Lions get past Norway in the last eight.
On Sunday – or the early hours of Monday morning, for viewers in England – Thomas Tuchel’s side emerged as 3-2 winners over Mexico in Mexico City, surviving a rollercoaster game in which Jude Bellingham netted twice and Harry Kane scored from the spot.
But another key moment saw England right-back Jarell Quansah given a straight red card for a high challenge on Jesus Gallardo, while four teammates were booked: defenders Marc Guehi and Nico O’Reilly, and midfielders Declan Rice and Jordan Henderson.
In the previous game, a last-32 win over DR Congo, Bellingham received a yellow card.
But what do these bookings mean for England against Norway, and then in the semi-finals if England get that far?
First things first: group-stage yellow cards were wiped out after the group stage, so they are irrelevant here. With that in mind, here’s all you need to know:
How many yellow cards equal a suspension?
If a player picks up two yellow cards overall across the last 32, last 16 and quarter-finals, they will be suspended.
How long is that suspension?
The suspension lasts just one game, so if a player were booked in the last 32 and last 16, they would miss a quarter-final; or if they were booked in the last 32/last 16 and the quarter-finals, they would miss a semi-final.
When do yellow cards reset?
Yellow cards reset after the group stages and the quarter-finals, so a booking in the semi-finals, after a second clean slate, would not rule a player out of the final, regardless of what happened in their previous knockout games.
How long is the suspension for a red card?
A red card (whether a straight red or the result of two yellows in one game) equals a one game ban, unless it’s considered serious foul play in which case it is upgraded to a two-match ban. This is what happened to Quansah, who will miss both the quarter-final and semi-final after Fifa’s verdict.
However, a shocking move saw Fifa suspend the red card of USA striker Florian Balogun – earned against Bosnia in the last 32 – by a year, meaning he will be able to feature in their last-16 tie against Belgium.
Donald Trump then thanked Fifa, sparking theories that the US president’s administration had pushed for the punishment to be overturned.
When do red cards reset?
There is no reset on red cards, so to speak, meaning: if a player is sent off in a semi-final, they will miss the final.
Which England players could miss the semi-finals, if England get there?
These players must avoid a booking against Norway to be eligible in the semi-finals, if England get that far: Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Marc Guehi, Nico O’Reilly and Jordan Henderson, though he is likely out for the tournament with injury.
Jarell Quansah’s red card in the last 16 means he will miss the quarter-final and semi-final due to it being classed under serious foul play. He will become available again for the final if England get that far.
