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21 June 2026

As the second round of group stage fixtures at the 2026 World Cup continues, several teams are already turning their focus towards the knockout rounds, with the USA, Mexico, and Germany having secured their places.

These teams are now weighing the possible impact of suspensions in the round of 32, particularly if any of their players collect a second yellow card during their final group stage fixtures.

Former USA forward Clint Dempsey offered his thoughts on why some sides might still decide to risk playing certain individuals in their third group match, despite the threat of suspension if they receive one more booking.

“It’s different from previous World Cups, with far more rest days,” Dempsey told FS1. “Some of the starting players who featured against Australia but didn’t play against Turkey will have gone 12 days without a match. If you’re Christian Pulisic, that’s 18 days without playing. It’s crucial that Pochettino manages that balance correctly – he’s done well so far, but you need the team’s chemistry to stay strong.”

So, what exactly are the yellow card rules for the 2026 World Cup?

With the expanded format of 48 teams and the introduction of a new round of 32, FIFA faced a challenge in managing suspensions caused by yellow card accumulation. The larger number of matches meant a higher chance of key players missing vital games due to multiple cautions.

To address this, FIFA decided to reset yellow card counts twice during the competition, rather than just once as in previous tournaments. All yellow cards will first be wiped clean after the group stage, before the knockout phase begins. They will then be cleared again after the quarterfinals, ensuring that no player is suspended for the final simply because of two cautions received earlier in the tournament.

For instance, referee Felix Zwayer was seen showing a yellow card to Folarin Balogun during a recent match.

However, any player who collects two yellow cards before the respective reset point – including across the three group stage matches – will automatically serve a one-match suspension.

This rule has already affected South Africa’s Teboho Mokoena, who will miss Bafana Bafana’s crucial third group game against South Korea on Wednesday as a result of yellow card accumulation.