Yes — red cards from World Cup qualifying can carry into the tournament, depending on whether the suspension was fully served during qualifying. Under FIFA disciplinary rules, a red card triggers an automatic suspension for the next “official match,” which may include a match in the final tournament if the team has no qualifying games left.
For example, a player who is sent off in the final qualifier or playoff may be forced to miss their nation’s opening match at the World Cup.
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When Red Cards Do Carry Over
A red card will carry into the final tournament when:
- The sending-off occurs in a late-stage qualifier or playoff.
- The automatic suspension cannot be served during the remaining qualifying schedule.
- The next match counted under the competition rules is in the World Cup finals.
This includes serious foul play, violent conduct, or any straight red card offense.
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When Red Cards Do Not Carry Over
A suspension does not affect the World Cup if:
- The full suspension is served during the qualification campaign.
- The competition rules define the next match outside the final tournament.
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Do Yellow Cards Carry Into the World Cup?
Typically no. Across recent World Cup cycles (including UEFA qualifying for 2014 and 2026):
- Single yellow cards
- Accumulations of yellow cards
…are wiped clean before the World Cup finals begin.
That means players start the tournament with a clean disciplinary slate unless they are already serving a red-card suspension.
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Examples From Recent Rules
- •UEFA 2014 Qualifiers: Yellow-card accumulations did not carry into the World Cup.
- UEFA 2026 Qualifying Rule: Yellow cards carry into the playoff semifinals only — not the playoff final or the World Cup.
Across confederations, red-card suspensions remain the only disciplinary action that can carry into the tournament.
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Summary
- Red cards: Can carry into the World Cup if the suspension remains unserved.
- Yellow cards: Generally do not carry over into the final tournament.
- Impact varies by confederation: Each region (UEFA, CONMEBOL, AFC, etc.) follows FIFA guidelines but applies its own competition-specific rules.