FIFA Considers Double Amnesty for Yellow Cards at 2026 World Cup

FIFA is considering a significant tweak to its disciplinary rules ahead of this summer’s expanded World Cup, with plans to introduce an additional yellow card amnesty stage.

The proposal, which will be discussed at a FIFA Council meeting in Vancouver on Tuesday, would see players’ yellow cards cleared twice during the tournament — after the group stage and again following the quarter-finals.

Under the current system, players who accumulate two yellow cards at any point up to and including the quarter-finals are suspended for the next match.

However, with the new 48-team format set to debut across the United States, Canada and Mexico, FIFA believes the existing rule could unfairly sideline players during crucial knockout fixtures.

The expanded competition introduces an additional round, increasing the number of matches players must navigate before reaching the latter stages. As a result, the governing body is seeking to reduce the likelihood of key players missing high-stakes games such as semi-finals due to accumulated bookings.

If approved, the change would mark a notable shift in tournament regulations, aimed at preserving competitive balance while adapting to the demands of the larger World Cup format

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