FIFA has announced major changes to the ‘yellow card’ rules for the 2026 World Cup to make more players available for the tournament’s crucial matches.
Under the new rules, players’ disciplinary records will be cleared twice during the tournament, reducing the chance of suspension.
According to FIFA, at the end of the group stage, the yellow cards of all the players will be removed to start the elimination stage without pressure.
There will be another ‘amnesty’ after the quarter-finals, which means that players from teams that reach the semi-finals will also be exempt from the threat of a yellow card.
Single yellow cards will be canceled after the group stage and then after the quarter-finals, FIFA says. https://t.co/TI6pFBtBLU
– AJE Sport (@AJE_Sport) April 29, 2026
Previously, yellow cards were canceled after the quarter-finals to prevent a player from missing the final due to a card in the semi-finals, but the new 48-team format and additional knockout rounds have further relaxed the rules.
FIFA also increased the financial incentives and announced that for each of the 48 participating teams, 15 percent has been increased to 871 million dollars.
Do not forget that the World Cup will be played from June 11 to July 19 in America, Canada and Mexico.
