FIFA has announced that England defender Jharel Quansah has been suspended for two games after receiving a red card against Mexico. The 23-year-old brought down Jesus Gallardo in the 54th minute of their World Cup Round of 16 showdown on Monday at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Despite the Bayer Leverkusen centre-back making contact with the ball, his right foot was raised dangerously high and caught Gallardo in the process.
After a VAR review, referee Alireza Faghani had no hesitation in immediately sending Quansah off. England achieved a famous 3-2 victory despite being reduced to 10 men. And they already knew the red card would keep him out of Saturday’s quarterfinal match against Norway in Miami. However, if England continue beyond the last eight, Quansah will also miss the semi-finals against Argentina or Switzerland.
England were unable to appeal FIFA’s suspension and Quansah’s challenge was deemed a “serious foul play” and he was suspended for two matches instead of the standard one.
FIFA said: “The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has imposed the following sanctions on England player Jarel Quansah, who was sent off after receiving a direct red card during the 2026 FIFA World Cup match between Mexico and England at Mexico City Stadium on July 5, 2026.
“Two match suspension for breach of Article 14 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. This suspension will be enforced for future matches of the England national team at the FIFA World Cup 2026™, in accordance with Article 69 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.”
Thomas Tuchel’s two-match suspension will put pressure on his right-back position after Reece James missed Wednesday’s training session. Declan Rice also missed the session in Kansas City, with Duo and Mark Gehi taking their place in separate programs apart from the main group.
After Quansah’s sacking, England manager Tuchel joked that US President Donald Trump could intervene.
FIFA has confirmed it has handed Folarin Balogun a 12-month, one-match ban, which will allow him to play for co-hosts the United States against Belgium. Belgium won 4-1.
Asked if Britain could lobby Trump to overturn the ban, the German joked: “Maybe that would be a good start.” President Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino and asked him to reconsider Balogun’s red before suspending him to allow the US top scorer to play.
FIFA made use of a little-known clause in its regulations that allows for the “suspension of the enforcement of disciplinary measures.”
