England star banned for two World Cup games and will miss Norway match

Jarell Quansah was sent off in the win against Mexico (FIFA via Getty)

England defender Jarrell Quansah has received a two-game ban from FIFA and will miss the World Cup quarter-final against Norway on Saturday.

Quansah was given a straight red card for his tackle on Jesus Gallardo during the second half of England’s 3-2 win over Mexico last Sunday.

The Football Association had considered appealing the decision in light of FIFA’s unprecedented move to suspend Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban for the United States.

However, FIFA has now opted to give Quansah a two-match suspension, which means he will miss this weekend’s game against Norway, as well as England’s potential semi-final against either Argentina or Switzerland on July 15.

A statement from FIFA on Thursday read: ‘The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has imposed the following sanction on England’s national-team player Jarell Quansah, who was sent off as a result of a direct red card during the FIFA World Cup 2026 match between Mexico and England played on 5 July 2026 at Mexico City Stadium: 2-match suspension for a breach of article 14 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

‘The suspension will be served in the upcoming match(es) of the representative team of England in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and in accordance with art. 69 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.’

Jarell Quansah was sent off for his challenge on Mexico’s Jesus Gallardo (Anadolu via Getty)

Speaking after England’s win over Mexico, Thomas Tuchel hit out at FIFA’s decision over Balogun and claims the move removes consistency from the tournament.

‘I think first of all, to be very clear, that it was not a red card,’ Tuchel said of Balogun.

‘But VAR got involved and obviously three people from VAR and the referee checked it and were of the opinion it is a yellow card so the decision is made.

‘Who overturns this decision and when and on what grounds? And how far does this go now? It is just strange for me. We just want to have consistency in the decisions. So, is our yellow card after the first minute against Declan Rice… We can now debate endlessly. I think it is not a yellow card. Do we get this back? Does France get the yellow card back for [Michael] Olise [against Paraguay] which was not a yellow card?

‘Where does this end? I don’t know the rules. I am the wrong person to ask. I will wait and see what’s coming.’

Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham are among the England players walking a suspension tightrope against Norway (DeFodi Images/Shutterstock)

Meanwhile, England will also be walking a disciplinary tightrope during their quarter-final against Norway due to World Cup rules around suspensions for yellow cards.

Players at the World Cup who receive two yellow cards across the last-32, last-16 and quarter-final games will serve an automatic one-match ban.

Declan Rice, Marc Guehi and Nico O’Reilly were all given yellow cards in the 3-2 win against Mexico, meaning another yellow in the game against Norway will see them miss the World Cup semi-final, if England win on Saturday.

Jude Bellingham is also at risk of a one-game suspension as he was givena yellow card in the win over DR Congo in the last-32.

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