Most red cards in a World Cup: How South Africa-Mexico compares to records for one game, year

While Mexico cruised to a 2-0 victory over South Africa to begin its 2026 World Cup campaign, the match featured plenty of action in referee Wilton Sampaio's card book.

Three players were sent off during Thursday's match after Sampaio and the VAR crew determined that two South African challenges and one Mexican foul warranted red cards.

South Africa was already trailing 1-0 after a ninth-minute goal from Julian Quinones. Then, in the 41st minute, the first red card of the match was shown.

Given the severity of red-card offenses at the World Cup, all three players will be suspended for their teams' next tournament match.

The flurry of dismissals led many fans to wonder how Thursday's opener compares to other World Cup matches throughout history. Mexico vs. South Africa already set a record for the most red cards in a World Cup opening match, but where does it rank among the most card-filled games in tournament history?

Here's how Thursday's red-card-filled opener stacks up in the World Cup record books.

2026 WORLD CUP HQ: Latest World Cup news | World Cup draw results | World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup tickets

Most red cards in a World Cup game

During the 2006 World Cup in Germany, Portugal and the Netherlands' Round of 16 saw a record four red cards given in a single game, according to Opta Analyst. The game was later dubbed "The Battle of Nuremberg," and Portugal prevailed in the onslaught by a score of 1-0.

Costinha and Deco were sent off from the Portuguese side of the pitch, while the Netherlands' Khalid Boulahrouz and Giovanni van Bronckhorst had their nights ended early as well.

Here are the highlights from that Round of 16 match:

MORE WORLD CUP NEWS:

• Ranking World Cup groups from hardest to easiest
• 10 World Cup teams with best chance to win
• Ranking 7 best matches of the World Cup

Most red cards in a World Cup tournament

The 2006 World Cup in Germany featured the most players sent off in the tournament's entirety. According to Opta Analyst, 28 players were sent off through 64 games of that year's World Cup. At two editions prior, the 1998 World Cup in France, came the second most red cards during the tournament, with 22 given.

Here is a top-five list of the most red cards given during a World Cup tournament.

Rank	Location (year)	Red cards
1.	Germany (2006)	28
2.	France (1998)	22
3.	South Korea & Japan (2002)	17
3.	South Africa (2010)	17
4.	Italy (1990)	16
5.	USA (1994)	15

In 2022, the World Cup in Qatar featured a mere four cards across the tournament's 64-game entirety. Thursday's one-game total already stands one more red card away from that tournament total.

— Slazac 🇪🇺🇺🇦🇹🇼🌐 (@TrueSlazac) June 11, 2026

Which players were sent off in Mexico-South Africa?

In Thursday's opening match between Mexico and South Africa, three players were sent off for rash challenges that the referee and VAR crew deemed too egregious to ignore.

For South Africa, midfielder Yaya Sithole took out the legs of Mexico's Brian Gutierrez as he broke in on goal just outside the Bafana Bafana penalty area. The foul occurred only a few yards outside the box, so South Africa narrowly avoided conceding a penalty, but their disciplinary problems were far from over.

South Africa is shown a red card and is down to 10 men! 🟥 pic.twitter.com/HnPqExqTRq

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 11, 2026

Around 30 minutes later, South Africa's Themba Zwane wrapped his arm around Roberto Alvarado's neck in an attempt to get past him. After a brief VAR check, Sampaio walked onto the pitch to gift Zwane and the South African team their second red card of the match.

South Africa is down to 9 players after a second red card 🟥 pic.twitter.com/uS87sjfQlI

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 11, 2026

In stoppage time, Mexico's Cesar Montes got into the referee's book as well with a rash challenge on Bafana defender Khuliso Mudau. The Fox announcers did question whether or not the contact was enough for the game's third red card, but the decision was still given nonetheless.

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 11, 2026

When will the red carded players be eligible to return to lineup?

According to this year's World Cup rules (page 18), players who receive a red card during a match are subject to a one-game suspension. The penalty is enacted during the team's next match on their schedule.

For South Africa, Sithole and Zwane will not be eligible to play in the team's next match against Czechia on Thursday. The duo can return to play on Wed., June 24, when Bafana Bafana battles against South Korea.

For host nation Mexico, they will not have the help of Montes during this upcoming Thursday's match against South Korea. Montes can return to play in El Tri's final group stage game against Czechia on Wed., June 24.