Three red cards at the start of the 2026 World Cup
In the opening match of the 2026 World Cup between Mexico and South Africa, three direct red cards were shown, which almost equals the total amount from the previous World Cup.
By Rubén Pérez
June 12, 2026 at 08:32 AM
The opening match of the 2026 World Cup between Mexico and South Africa became a match remembered for the number of red cards. Referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio showed three direct red cards during the match, which places the number of cards in this tournament very close to the total of red cards in the previous World Cup, where four cards were shown in total.
In this match, two South African players, Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane, received the red card, while César Montes was the only Mexican player sent off. These types of situations are rare in World Cup history, as it is rare for three direct red cards to be shown in a single match. The last time it happened was in 1998, during the World Cup in France, in a match between South Africa and Denmark, where three red cards were also shown.
Although the 2006 World Cup was famous for its high number of indirect red cards, this opening match of 2026 has highlighted the discipline that the referees are willing to maintain in this competition. With three red cards in a single match, the 2026 World Cup has already left its historical mark.