How many red cards have there been at the World Cup 2026, and what is the tournament record?

THIS year’s World Cup has seen a lot of players sent off – with the record of 28 in 2006 under threat! THREE red cards were given between South Africa and Mexico in the World Cup opener – and it is not the only game with multiple red cards. The players’ discipline in the opener set a precedent for the rest of the tournament. How many red cards have there been at the World Cup 2026? There have been 14 red cards at the World Cup so far. And the first three all came in the first match – two South African players got sent off and one Mexican player. - Spheoheki Sithole – SOUTH AFRICA vs Mexico (fouling as the last man) - Themba Zwane – SOUTH AFRICA vs Mexico (violent conduct) - Cesar Montes – MEXICO vs South Africa (violent conduct) - Tarik Muharemovic – BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA vs Switzerland (fouling as the last man) - Homam Elamin – QATAR vs Canada (fouling as the last man) - Assim Madibo – QATAR vs Canada (serious foul play) - Miguel Almiron – PARAGUAY vs Turkey (covering his mouth) - Nathan Ngoy – BELGIUM vs Iran (fouling as the last man) - Rebin Sulaka – IRAQ vs Senegal - Agustin Canobbio – URUGUAY vs Spain - Piero Hincapie – ECUADOR vs Mexico (covering his mouth) - Folarin Balogun – USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina - Jarell Quansah – ENGLAND vs Mexico - Breel Embolo – Argentina vs SWITZERLAND (mistaken identitiy) Read more on World Cup World Cup 2026 - all the info England fans believe football is coming home with the Three Lions into the semi-finals. Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham on fire… but the likes of France, Spain and Argentina all remain in the tournament. LATEST NEWS - Astonishing reason England’s first goal should not have stood - Norway boss throws water bottle at coach in tantrum - Fans stunned by who Maya Jama is sat next to at England game - Inside Haaland’s romance with model girlfriend KEY INFO - World Cup 2026 full match schedule including kick-off times - World Cup 2026 full squads - World Cup 2026 rule changes - World Cup 2026 prize money VIDEO - Proper Football Daily: Get all the expert analysis each morning - Team Talk – Tactics Exposed: Dive into the tactical talking points TIPS AND BETTING TICKETS If you click a link in this article, we will earn affiliate revenue. What is the record for the most red cards at a World Cup? The most red cards ever given in a single World Cup game is four. This was a 2006 World Cup round of 16 match between Portugal and the Netherlands. Russian referee Valentin Ivanov lost control of the match, sending off four players in the game. The two players who were sent off for Portugal were Costinha and Deco. Most read in Sport While Khalid Boulahrouz and Giovanni van Bronckhorst got sent off for the Netherlands.