Referees Take Centre Stage with Questionable Statistic Compared to Last World Cup

Pulse Sports Team 00:59 - 19 June 2026

This year's World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States is bigger, crazier, and more extravagant than ever. However, when it comes to Fair Play, there's room for improvement. We're just over a week into the tournament, but a negative statistic has already been shattered. And it all has to do with the referees.

Referees are certainly not shy about reaching for their pockets at this World Cup. A significant number of cards have already been issued in the first 27 matches of the tournament. There have been 58 yellow cards and six red cards, shattering a negative statistic from the previous World Cup.

Unusual Statistic

At the World Cup in Qatar, only four red cards were handed out throughout the entire tournament. That number has already been significantly surpassed, and we're not even halfway through the group stage. This isn't entirely surprising, given that three red cards were shown in the opening match between Mexico and South Africa alone.

Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane earned the dubious distinction of receiving the tournament's first two red cards. The South Africans were reckless in their tackles during the opening match and subsequently had to watch their team's game against the Czech Republic from the stands. In the same fixture, Mexico's captain, César Montes, was also sent off.

More Red Cards Than Last Edition

It was a while before the next card was shown, not until Thursday, June 18th. Switzerland versus Bosnia initially looked set to be a dull affair, until the final fifteen minutes. That period delivered five goals and a red card. Bosnian defender Taik Muharemovic received a red card in the eightieth minute for bringing down a player who was through on goal.

Canada vs. Qatar also saw two red cards. The first red card was again for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity, while the second was more unsettling. Canadian Koné was tackled and appeared to suffer a horrific leg injury, causing a lengthy stoppage in play. The referee initially showed a yellow card, but VAR quickly upgraded it to a red.

World Cup Football

The latest news on the FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Check the match schedule here, including fixtures, results, and standings.
Find everything about the Dutch national team here, from news and remarkable stories to statistics.
Watch and listen to our daily World Cup football podcast.
To ensure you don't miss anything, download our Sportnieuws.nl App.