A rule change that would signal a major shift in World Cup operations is being pursued. As measures to revise the yellow card accumulation system are discussed, they are expected to have a considerable impact on the flow of the tournament.
The Mirror reported on the 28th (Korean time), "FIFA is preparing a major rule change to wipe out all cautions after the World Cup group stage ends," and added that "the same reset will be applied after the quarterfinals to reduce the risk of players missing knockout matches."
It added, "According to The Athletic, the proposal will be discussed and finally approved at the FIFA Council meeting in Vancouver," and said, "The World Cup expands from 32 to 48 teams starting this summer, and FIFA aims to minimize cases of suspensions under the new format."
Compared with the existing system, the scope of change is large. In previous tournaments, cautions were only wiped out at the end of the quarterfinals. Cautions accumulated during the group stage and through the round of 16 and quarterfinals, and a player who received two yellow cards would miss the next match.
But if the amendment is applied, operations will change. Once the three group-stage matches finish, one set of caution records will be reset. Then another reset will occur after the round of 32, round of 16 and quarterfinal schedules end. As a result, suspensions would be applied only when a player receives two cautions within each of the group stage and each knockout segment.
The change also ties into the expanded tournament structure. The 2026 North American World Cup will increase the number of participating countries to 48 and be played in a 12-group format. The top two teams in each group and the eight best third-place teams advance to the round of 32. The intent reflects a desire to reduce disciplinary risk as a variable amid an increased number of matches.
It could also indirectly affect the South Korea national team. The team led by coach Hong Myung-bo was placed in Group A alongside host Mexico, the Czech Republic and South Africa. All three group-stage matches will be played in Mexico.
The first match is on June 12 in Guadalajara against the Czech Republic. It will then face Mexico at the same venue, and the final match will be played in Monterrey against South Africa. With altitude and climate conditions cited as variables, discipline management strategy is also likely to emerge as an important factor.
The new rule could certainly reduce the burden of player management. However, to feel the actual effect, advancing to the tournament knockout stage is a prerequisite. Interest is growing in what strategies will unfold under the changed rules.
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