A red card in the World Cup means a player is sent off and cannot stay in the match. Their team has to finish with one fewer player, and the player is usually suspended for the next game.

What it means

  • A referee shows a red card for a serious offense, such as violent conduct, dangerous play, spitting, insulting language, or denying a clear goal-scoring chance.
  • The player must leave the field immediately.
  • The team cannot replace that player, so it plays short-handed for the rest of the match.

Yellow vs red

  • A yellow card is a warning.
  • Two yellow cards in the same match usually become a red card, which also sends the player off.
  • A straight red is for a more serious foul or misconduct.

World Cup effect

  • In the World Cup, a red card normally brings a one-match suspension.
  • FIFA can add more punishment if the incident is severe.

Example

If a defender makes a last-man foul to stop an obvious goal, the referee may show a red card. That player leaves, the team drops to 10 players, and the player misses the next match.

Meta description

A red card in the World Cup means immediate ejection from the match, a one- game suspension, and no replacement for the sent-off player.

TL;DR: red card = sent off, no substitute, and usually banned for the next World Cup match.