​Jarell Quansah has received a two-match ban after his red card in England’s round-of-16 victory over Mexico. The Bayer Leverkusen defender was sent off directly following a VAR review of a challenge on Jesus Gallardo in the second half at the Estadio Azteca, though Thomas Tuchel’s side managed to cling on for a memorable 3-2 win. The Football Association indicated it was examining its options regarding a possible appeal, but FIFA announced on Thursday that Quansah would serve an immediate suspension, ruling him out of Saturday’s quarter-final against Norway in Miami and potentially a semi-final as well.
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: a two-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, in accordance with art. 69 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.” While the FA could not appeal the red card, it is understood to have conveyed its concerns to FIFA earlier in the week, particularly regarding the VAR process. There was frustration that the protocol may not have been followed correctly, with the first thing referee Alireza Faghani saw when he went to the pitchside monitor being a still image of Quansah’s challenge.
After the match, a clearly exasperated England manager Tuchel discussed the incident. “In the game, this wasn’t even given as a foul, so the referee clearly thought it was a hard tackle but allowed play to continue. VAR reviewed it, made a decision, and then, as is often the case, I saw a still image on the screen. You cannot base 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. It’s disappointing and a setback today because we were good in the match. For me, VAR’s decision to overturn nothing, almost, in the penalty situation, was not enough to change the outcome, but that’s how it stands.”
Quansah’s extended absence compounds Tuchel’s issues at right-back. Prior to the tournament, Tino Livramento left camp with a calf injury, and first-choice Reece James has not been able to play since the second group game against Ghana. The situation leaves England briefly light on options at full-back as they navigate the knockout phase of the World Cup and chase progression to the latter stages.