A red card in World Cup soccer means a player is sent off the field immediately and cannot be replaced, so their team must finish the match with one fewer player.

What it means

  • It is given for serious fouls or misconduct, such as dangerous tackles, violent conduct, abuse toward officials, or denying a clear goal-scoring chance.
  • A second yellow card in the same match also becomes a red card.
  • In World Cup play, a red card usually brings a one-match suspension as well.

Simple example

If a defender stops an obvious goal by pulling down an attacker, the referee may show a red card. That player leaves the game, and the team has to play short-handed for the rest of the match.

TL;DR

Red card = immediate ejection, no substitute, and usually a suspension for the next match.