The FIFA World Cup 2026 Group Stage Has Already Produced More Red Cards Than All of Qatar 2022 and Russia 2018 Combined

Red cards have played a decisive role throughout the opening round of the tournament, with players being sent off at a record pace and dramatically influencing several group-stage matches.

The intensity and emotion of the FIFA World Cup 2026 have been so high that, after just 28 matches, the tournament has already produced six red cards — two more than the combined total recorded at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

THE DISMISSED PLAYERS

South Africans Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane, Mexico's César Montes, Bosnia and Herzegovina's Tarik Muharemović, and Qatar's Homam Ahmed and Assim Madibo have all been sent off before the final whistle after committing various offenses.

That number could continue to rise, as the tournament is still in the group stage. With the expanded 48-team format, the 2026 World Cup will feature 104 matches, compared to the 64 played at Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022.

The World Cup record for most red cards remains Germany 2006, which saw 28 dismissals. Much of that total stemmed from the infamous "Battle of Nuremberg" — the Round of 16 clash between the Netherlands and Portugal that produced four red cards and 16 yellow cards, making it the most ill-tempered match in World Cup history.

FACTORS BEHIND THE SURGE

South Africa's Sithole and Zwane, along with Mexico defender César Montes, were all sent off during the tournament opener at Estadio Azteca, a match that sparked criticism of Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio's performance.

It marked the first time in World Cup history that three players were dismissed in an opening match, surpassing the previous record of two red cards shown to André Kana-Biyik and Benjamin Massing during Cameroon’s famous victory over Argentina at Italy 1990.

Another officiating performance that came under scrutiny was that of Chilean referee Cristián Garay in Canada's 6-0 win over Qatar. During that match, Homam Ahmed and Assim Madibo were both sent off, reducing Qatar to nine men and making an already difficult night even tougher against the co-hosts in Vancouver.

A similar situation unfolded in Bosnia and Herzegovina's defeat to Switzerland, when Tarik Muharemović received a straight red card with 20 minutes remaining, leaving his side unable to mount a comeback.