Tracking Red Cards and Suspensions at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has already seen intense moments, with players needing to avoid costly mistakes. A single red card leads to an automatic ban from the next match, which can leave teams shorthanded during important group stage games.

The Sporting News is keeping a close watch on every red card issued throughout the tournament, presenting a current list of suspended players below.

Current Red Card Count in the 2026 World Cup

So far, seven players have been sent off in the tournament. Red cards can be given for various reasons such as serious foul play, violent conduct, denying clear goal-scoring chances, or accumulating two yellow cards in one game. An unusual new rule lets referees issue straight reds for players covering their mouths during disputes, like when Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron was dismissed against Turkey.

Each dismissal means the player misses their team's following match, a factor that can drastically affect team lineups as the group phase unfolds.

List of Players Sent Off in World Cup 2026 Group Stage

Red cards have shaped many tournaments, from sparking controversy to sidelining star players. The fewest dismissals in recent times happened in 2018 and 2022, each with only four red cards over 64 matches. The 2006 tournament in Germany stands out with the highest number: 28 red cards.

Below is a comparison of red card totals and averages per match across World Cups:

*Tournament ongoing