FIFA World Cup™
Jarell Quansah given two-match ban for red card against Mexico
Jarell Quansah has been given a two-match ban following his red card in England’s last-16 win over Mexico.
The Bayer Leverkusen defender was given a straight red following a VAR review of a challenge on Jesus Gallardo in the second half at the Estadio Azteca, but Thomas Tuchel’s men hung on for a famous 3-2 victory.
The tackle has been deemed “serious foul play” under FIFA’s disciplinary code and the governing body announced on Thursday Quansah will serve an immediate suspension, ruling him out of Saturday’s quarter-final with Norway in Miami and a possible semi-final against either Argentina or Switzerland.
A FIFA statement 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.”
The Football Association was unable to appeal against the red card but is understood to have made its feelings known to FIFA earlier in the week, especially around the VAR process.
There was a sense the protocol was not followed properly, with the first thing referee Alireza Faghani saw when sent to the pitchside monitor being a still image of Quansah’s challenge.
Speaking after Sunday’s match, frustrated England boss Tuchel said: “In the game this was not even given a foul, so the referee obviously also thought that it’s a hard tackle, but it was OK for him to let it play.
“VAR came, made a decision and then, like always, I just saw the still on the screen. You cannot take decisions on a still in a football match. It’s just not possible. And they did it, of course, against us, so Jarell is very upset, of course.”
Quansah’s suspension will increase the scrutiny on the decision to suspend a ban for United States striker Folarin Balogun following an intervention from US President Donald Trump.
Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino asking for a “review” of Balogun’s red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the ban subsequently suspended by FIFA’s disciplinary committee, allowing him to play in their last-16 defeat to Belgium.
Quansah’s extended absence adds to Tuchel’s right-back headache.
Tino Livramento left the camp before the tournament with a calf injury and first choice Reece James has been unable to play since the second group game against Ghana.
England team-mates Bukayo Saka and Nico O’Reilly expressed sympathy for Quansah but accepted the squad have to take the setback on the chin.
Saka said: “Frustration, really. I just found out that obviously it’s two-match ban, which is incredibly frustrating for us and for him the most, I’d say.
“But it’s the way it is. We’re not here to complain. We just need to adapt and pick a team that’s ready to beat Norway.”
O’Reilly added: “It’s sad. It can’t get appealed or anything, so we just got to get on with it now.
“Obviously I feel bad for him as well. His first tournament, he’s young. But we to get on with it.”
