The FIFA Council has approved key changes to disciplinary regulations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, introducing a revised yellow-card system tailored to the tournament’s expanded format.
Meeting ahead of the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, FIFA confirmed that single yellow cards accumulated during the tournament will now be cancelled at two stages after the group phase and again following the quarter-finals.
The adjustment reflects the structure of the 48-team competition, which includes an additional knockout round compared to previous editions. FIFA believes the change will ensure that more players are available for the latter stages of the tournament, reducing the risk of suspensions carrying too deep into the competition.
Under the revised rules, players who pick up cautions in the group stage will start the knockout phase with a clean disciplinary record. A second reset after the quarter-finals will further ensure that players are not ruled out of the semi-finals or final due to earlier bookings.
FIFA says the move is designed to strike a balance between maintaining discipline and preserving the quality of matches at the decisive stages of the tournament.
The Council also confirmed the adoption of new measures, in line with The IFAB guidelines, targeting player conduct. These include stricter sanctions potentially red cards for players who leave the field in protest of refereeing decisions or deliberately cover their mouths during confrontations.
The rule updates form part of broader efforts by FIFA to adapt to the demands of an expanded World Cup while enhancing fairness and competitiveness across the tournament.
