World Cup sees surge in red cards as referees enforce stricter discipline | Ariana News | Afghanistan News

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is seeing a sharp rise in red cards as referees adopt stricter discipline. With 27 matches played, officials issued 12 red cards, all straight dismissals, already exceeding the totals from the entire 2022 tournament in Qatar and matching the combined count from 2018 Russia’s competition plus 2022. The article says the running total is approaching the World Cup record of 28 red cards set at the 2006 finals in Germany. Former FIFA referee and FOX Sports rules analyst Mark Clattenburg attributed the increase to player errors under pressure, particularly around the penalty area, and suggested squad expansion to 26 players may make some defenders more willing to commit “professional fouls.” Several dismissals affected outcomes, including Folarin Balogun, who scored and then received a red card in the same knockout match. It also cites red cards for players such as Miguel Almirón, Piero Hincapié, Agustín Canobbio, Themba Zwane, Rebin Sulaka, and Nathan Ngoy, plus three red cards in the South Africa vs Mexico opener.