World Cup 2026: Five Morocco players face semi-final ban after yellow cards
Five Morocco players are walking a disciplinary tightrope ahead of their quarter-final against France, with any one of them a single yellow card away from a semi-final suspension.
Morocco go into their quarter-final against France with a significant disciplinary concern hanging over the squad. Five key players are each one yellow card away from a semi-final ban — a fact that could shape coach Ouahbi's approach to one of the biggest matches in Moroccan football history.
The five players at risk
The most high-profile name on the list is Achraf Hakimi, Morocco's dynamic right-back and one of the driving forces behind their knockout run. Azzedine Ounahi, the midfielder who orchestrated Morocco's dominant 3-0 win over Canada, is also under threat. Bilal El Khannouss, Redouane Halhal and Issa Diop complete the group of five who must tread carefully against France.
The yellow card rule explained
Under FIFA's regulations for the 2026 World Cup, any player who accumulates two yellow cards across the round of 32, round of 16 and quarter-finals is automatically suspended for one match. Bookings are wiped clean before the semi-finals — but that provides no comfort to anyone suspended in the round before.
A tactical headache for Ouahbi
The situation presents Ouahbi with a difficult balancing act: protect his key players against France, or allow them to play freely and risk losing them for the semi-final. Morocco are dreaming of history at the 2026 World Cup — and the availability of these five could prove decisive in determining how far that dream goes.
