Need to know
Declan Rice was booked less than five minutes into England's World Cup last-16 clash against Mexico at Mexico City Stadium
Declan Rice is shown a yellow card by referee Alireza Faghani
Declan Rice is shown a yellow card by referee Alireza Faghani(Image: (Rodrigo Oropeza / AFP via Getty Images))
All you need to know about the suspension rules at the World Cup after Declan Rice was booked against Mexico
Declan Rice picked up an early booking for England during their last-16 World Cup clash against Mexico. Arsenal star Rice was shown a yellow card for a foul on Luis Romo.
Alan Shearer said: "Not ideal. Rice has every right to go for the ball but he does catch him unfortunately. He will have to tread very, very carefully for 89 minutes, and the rest. He has to go for the ball but it is a dangerous one."
Rice was also shown a yellow card during England's 0-0 draw with Ghana in the group stage, meaning he has picked up two during the tournament. The booking occurred in the second-half of the game at Gillette Stadium.
Accumulating two yellow cards usually results in an automatic one-match suspension. This is a standard disciplinary rule that is often used in multiple competitions.
But luckily for Rice and the Three Lions, he won’t be suspended for any potential quarter-final match if he finishes the match with just a booking. That is because all single yellow cards are wiped clean at the conclusion of the group stage, giving every player a fresh start.
The change is designed to prevent players from missing crucial knockout matches due to minor infractions accumulated during the opening games.
Because the World Cup 2026 features an expanded 48-team format, FIFA has structured when the disciplinary slate is wiped, accordingly, to avoid those scenarios. Following the initial reset after the group games, another amnesty will take place for all players immediately following the quarter-finals.
This second wipe ensures that no player can miss the final by accumulating single yellow cards. Under these updated rules, only a direct red card offence in the semi-finals would cause a player to miss the game due to suspension.