With a record 48 teams set to take part in the FIFA World Cup 2026™, the expanded format has prompted a change to the tournament Regulations. Reflective of the extra knockout round, the FIFA Council confirmed on 28 April 2026 that single yellow cards in the final competition will be cancelled:

• after the group stage

• then again after the quarter-finals

Previously, single yellow cards were only cancelled once - after the quarter-finals - with players who accumulated two yellows before this stage serving a one-match suspension.

A total of 104 matches will be played at the 2026 edition, with all fixtures details available on the match schedule.