​For the first time since yellow-card suspensions were introduced, every booking at this World Cup will be wiped clean before the semifinals. In other words: a second yellow card cannot force a suspension prior to the final. Yet the situation ahead of the semifinals is different. Heading into the World Cup quarterfinals, 19 players were carrying a yellow card and would have to sit out the next match if they were booked again. This could carry particularly serious consequences for Morocco if they advance to the semifinals.
Norway (1): Antonio Nusa. Belgium (1): Brandon Mechele. Spain (1): Ferran Torres. Argentina (1): Gonzalo Montiel. Switzerland (3): Granit Xhaka, Denis Zakaria and Miro Muheim. France (3): Manu Koné, Bradley Barcola and Michael Olise. England (4): Jude Bellingham, Nico O’Reilly, Declan Rice and Marc Guehi. Morocco (5): Issa Diop, Achraf Hakimi, Redouane Halhal, Bilal El Khannouss and Azzedine Ounahi. That’s right: at least five North Africans are one booking away from a suspension and could miss a potential semifinal if their caution tally increases.
Of course, they first must win to reach that stage. For Morocco, the pressing challenge tonight at 10 p.m. is a victory against a France side loaded with stars. A win would thrust them into the semifinals, where the specter of suspension looms over any player who collects another caution.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. The original version is available in German. For improved SEO, the German version can be read here.