Link: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7235588/2026/04/27/fifa-world-cup-yellow-card/

Due to the increased number of teams and rounds at the summer's tournament, FIFA is seeking to reduce the danger of more suspensions.

I would’ve been okay with making yellow card accumulation a more serious threat. Protect the players:

In previous editions of the tournament, yellows were only cleared after the quarter-finals. But given this is an expanded World Cup with 48 teams as opposed to 32, FIFA is planning to change the rules in an attempt to avoid more suspensions, sources with knowledge of the plans — who wish to remain anonymous — have told The Athletic.

Due to there being an additional 16 teams competing, an additional knockout match — the round of 32 — has been added to the schedule.