It would be a big blow for the Arsenal star if he picks up a suspension
11:32, 08 Jul 2026Updated 11:36, 08 Jul 2026
Mikel Arteta speaks to Arsenal players
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Mikel Arteta will be keeping a close eye on his Arsenal players during the World Cup (Photo by ANP via Getty Images)
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice is at risk of being suspended for England's World Cup semi-final should the Three Lions progress past Norway.
Thomas Tuchel's side beat Mexico 3-2 in the early hours of Monday morning to set up a last eight tie against The Vikings on Friday night. Jude Bellingham scored his third and fourth goals of the tournament before Harry Kane dispatched a penalty to ensure a historic win for England, who played the majority of the second half with 10 men.
But Rice and four other players are at risk of being suspended for the semi-final if they pick up another yellow card in the clash against Norway. According to FIFA rules, group stage yellow cards are wiped upon the competition of the group stage but if a player picks up two yellow cards across the last-32, last-16 and quarter-finals, they will be suspended.
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Bellingham was booked during the last-32 win over DR Congo, while Rice, Marc Guehi, Nico O’Reilly and Jordan Henderson picked up yellow cards during the victory over Mexico. That means if any of these players receive a yellow against Norway, they will be suspended for the semi-final clash against one of Argentina or Switzerland.
Yellow cards reset after the group stages and the quarter-finals, so if a player is issued a yellow card in the semi-final they will not be suspended for the final, unless they are shown a red card. Jarell Quansah's red card against Mexico means the defender will miss the match against Norway but will be available for the semi-final should England make it to that stage.
News of Rice's possible ban comes as Mikel Arteta plans for the 2026/27 season. Members of the Arsenal squad not at the World Cup will report for pre-season training in the middle of July, football.london understands, with the first pre-season friendly scheduled for Saturday, August 1 against Girona in Spain.
It's likely, though, that several members of the senior squad will be absent for that clash, as well as the following friendly against Real Betis in Dublin four days later. That's because players at the World Cup will be given about three weeks off once their tournament is over, so their return to London Colney will be delayed.
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Rice, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, David Raya, Leandro Trossard and William Saliba are all still competing at the tournament and that means they will likely not join up with their Arsenal teammates until the start of August.
Should players reach the final, which will take place on Sunday, July 19, players may not join up with the rest of the Arsenal squad until August 10. The Gunners host Coventry City in the Premier League season opener on Friday, August 21 so that would give Arteta a problem to overcome as the returning stars get back up to speed.
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