FIFA has changed the World Cup rules on yellow cards to ensure fewer players are suspended for key elimination games at this summer’s tournament in North America.
An extra amnesty for yellow cards — wiping player disciplinary records twice during the expanded tournament — was approved on Tuesday in a FIFA ruling council meeting.
“Reflective of the expanded format with an extra knockout round, the FIFA Council confirmed an amendment to the Regulations for the FIFA World Cup 2026 whereby single yellow cards in the final competition will be cancelled after the group stage and then again after the quarter-finals,” FIFA said in a statement.