FIFA set to make huge World Cup rule change that impacts every nation

One of the most aggravating rules at international tournaments is set to be overhauled for the 2026 World Cup as FIFA is deliberating on how it manages yellow cards.

For as long as memory serves, players at international tournaments have had to skate on thin ice if they picked up a yellow card.

The rules previously stated that any player would be forced to miss one game if they received two yellow cards, with this only wiping at the quarter-final stage.

But given the expedited nature of the newly expanded 48-team World Cup format, this year's competition is being revised to be slightly more forgiving.

Now, new reports claim that another yellow card 'wipe' is set to be added.

A third lifeline

FIFA is facing a race against time to ensure that every line is crossed for the 2026 World Cup, and the organisation has been applying rules that have negatively impacted the vast majority of nations.

But one rule is reportedly changing to benefit all 48 countries participating, as the yellow card wiping system is set to be changed.

The introduction of a Round of 32 fixture in the larger 2026 World Cup tournament means that teams would play up to five games before the usual Quarter-Final wipe comes into play.

According to The Athletic, FIFA officials are set to introduce another reset following the group stage, which should prevent teams from being without their best players for the early knockout stages.

Getty

This means players would be allowed one yellow in the groups, another in the round of 32, last 16, or quarter-final, and a third in the semi-final without facing a suspension.

FIFA would add this to a list of rule changes for the World Cup, which also includes two major tweaks to the current, and controversial, VAR system.

Not the first time this rule has been changed

Famously, this wouldn't be the first time that the yellow card rule has been tweaked, with previous tournaments having the cut-off point before the quarter-final stage.

This put players on eggshells during the quarters and semis, though, to avoid a situation like Michael Ballack's tear-jerking booking in 2002.

Getty

Ballack was a massive absence in the middle of the park in Germany's 2-0 defeat to Brazil, after he took a tactical foul on South Korea's Lee Chun-soo to prevent the counter-attack in the Semi-Finals after picking one up in the game before.

Following this, FIFA moved the card wipe to after the quarter-final stage, making it only possible to be suspended for the final if you get marching orders with a red.