A red card in the World Cup means the player is sent off immediately, their team must finish the match with 10 players, and the player is usually suspended for the next match as well.

What happens

  • The player leaves the field right away and cannot be replaced.
  • The team plays the rest of that game a man down.
  • The player automatically misses the next match.
  • FIFA can add extra suspension games or a fine if the offense was serious.

How a red card happens

  • It can be a straight red for serious foul play, violent conduct, spitting, biting, offensive language, or denying a clear goal-scoring chance.
  • It can also come from two yellow cards in the same match, which turns into a red card.

World Cup note

  • Yellow cards are reset at certain stages of the tournament, but a red card suspension still applies.

In short: red card = off immediately, team down to 10, and usually one-match suspension.