Declan Rice picked up his second yellow card of the World Cup during England’s win over Mexico, so does that mean he now faces a suspension?
Declan Rice #4, Harry Kane #9 and Elliot Anderson #8 of England celebrate the team's 3-2 victory after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Mexico and England at Mexico City Stadium on July 05, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images
Having previously been booked against Ghana in the group stage, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice picked up his second yellow of the 2026 World Cup in the opening minute of England’s 3-2 win over Mexico.
Those who have been following the World Cup so far will likely be aware that two yellows is enough to earn you a one-match ban, but not in this case.
The accumulated yellow cards are now wiped after the group stage, and again after the quarter-finals.
With the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams, and an extra knockout round as a result, the rules were changed to be a little more lenient to teams that make long runs at the tournament.
Declan Rice #4 and Jordan Pickford #1 of England celebrate the team's 3-2 victory in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Mexico and England at Mexico City Stadium on July 05, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images)
Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images
Given Rice’s first yellow was in the group stage, it’s already been wiped from his record. So his booking against Mexico puts him back one away from a suspension.
This does mean that if Rice is booked against Norway, he would then be suspended for a potential semi-final. The yellows are only wiped after the quarters, so it’s still possible to pick up a ban during the quarters.
Once the yellows are wiped again, it’s then impossible to receive a yellow-card ban for the World Cup final. Which is the point.
Declan Rice #4 of England gestures during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between England and Congo DR at Atlanta Stadium on July 01, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
On that basis, many of Arsenal’s World Cup internationals have already avoided a yellow-card ban.
Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze, William Saliba, and Martin Odegaard haven’t picked any yellows at the tournament, and they only have one game left to do so before the semi-final wipe.
Leandro Trossard, David Raya, Mikel Merino, and Martin Zubimendi also haven’t received any yellow cards, but they still have a last-16 game to pick up their first. Yellows in both the last-16 and the quarters would see them suspended.
But it looks like Rice is the only player seriously at risk of a yellow-card suspension in the remainder of the tournament.
Declan Rice #4 of England runs with the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between England and Congo DR at Atlanta Stadium on July 01, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images
Is Declan Rice suspended after yellow card vs Mexico?
Declan Rice picked up his second yellow card of the World Cup during England’s win over Mexico, so does that mean he now faces a suspension?
‘Awkward’: Martin Odegaard on his clash with Neymar
Martin Odegaard clashed with Neymar during Norway’s World Cup win over Brazil on Sunday, but the pair appeared to make up afterwards.
Saka matches 2 records with England assist vs Mexico
Bukayo Saka matched a couple of records with his assist against Mexico on Sunday night, and he now has the chance to break them.
Arsenal and Hamburg in price standoff over €20m midfielder clause
Hamburg want Fabio Vieira back after his Arsenal loan, but will only pay around half the agreed €20m option fee.
Arsenal exit talk cools as injury complicates interest
Ben White’s Arsenal future is reportedly clouded by injury despite Premier League interest from Everton and Crystal Palace.
Related Topics