Mexico’s 2-0 victory over South Africa in the tournament opener produced three red cards, sparking debate about the standard of refereeing at the 2026 World Cup.
South Africa’s Yaya Sithole and Themba Zwane were both sent off during the match, before Mexico’s Cesar Montes was dismissed in stoppage time.
It had been 20 years since three players were sent off in a single World Cup match, back in the 2006 finals when 28 players in total saw red.
That 2006 tournament was a remarkable one, with three players dismissed in three separate games and the all-time record of four red cards coming in Portugal’s match against Netherlands.
The World Cups in Russia and Qatar each produced just four red cards across the entire tournament, and the 2026 edition has almost matched that total in a single game.
In 2017, Pierluigi Collina was appointed as FIFA’s new head of referees, ushering in a notably different era of officiating at the highest level.
Collina has consistently focused on ensuring decisions serve as justice for both teams, making it considerably harder for players to receive red cards in certain situations.
Under his stewardship, the law around denying a goalscoring opportunity when a penalty has been awarded was significantly relaxed, reducing the volume of dismissals.
In his pre-tournament briefing, Collina focused on timewasting and general player behaviour rather than signalling any broader crackdown that would lead to a spike in red cards.
Sithole’s dismissal for fouling Brian Gutierrez was considered a straightforward decision for referee Wilton Sampaio, as Gutierrez was clearly through on goal.
The second dismissal, shown to Zwane following a VAR review for violent conduct, proved far more controversial after an incident involving Roberto Alvarado.
Colombia’s Nicolas Gallo, the video assistant referee, sent Sampaio to the pitchside monitor to review the incident, though it was difficult to make out exactly what had happened.
Zwane appeared to connect with an open hand rather than a clenched fist to the side of Alvarado’s head, which many felt made the red card exceptionally harsh.
VAR officials are told to look for a clenched fist as a sign of aggression when assessing violent conduct, though its presence is an indicator rather than a requirement.
Collina has previously introduced red cards for players who cover their mouths in confrontations and for those who leave the field in protest, showing his willingness to clamp down on poor behaviour.
The third dismissal, also for denying a goalscoring opportunity, saw Montes tackle Khuliso Mudau, who appeared likely to control the ball inside the area with no covering defender close by.
A useful comparison comes from the Premier League, when Marcos Senesi brought down Ismaila Sarr in Crystal Palace’s 3-3 draw with Bournemouth, in a similar wide position to Mudau’s.
Referee Jarred Gillett initially showed a yellow card in that incident, but was sent to the screen by VAR, and the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents Panel later ruled it should have been a red.
That precedent suggests Sampaio’s decision on Montes was at the very least supportable, even if it appeared harsh in the immediate aftermath of the match.
With 104 games still to play across the tournament, this opening match may ultimately prove to be an outlier rather than a sign of things to come from officials.
