World Cup: England suffers major blow as FIFA bans key player ahead of Norway clash

England defender, Jarrell Quansah, has been handed a two-match suspension by FIFA and will now miss The Three Lions’ World Cup quarter-final against Norway this Saturday.

Quansah received a direct red card for his tackle on Jesus Gallardo during the second half of England’s 3-2 victory over Mexico last Sunday.

The Football Association contemplated appealing the ruling, especially after FIFA’s unusual decision to lift Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban for the United States.

Nevertheless, FIFA has confirmed Quansah’s two-match suspension, meaning he will miss the upcoming match against Norway, as well as a potential semi-final against either Argentina or Switzerland on July 15.

Quansah’s tackle was classified as serious foul play, which resulted in an additional game being added to the standard one-match suspension.

A statement from FIFA on Thursday stated, “The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has imposed the following sanction on England’s national team player Jarrell Quansah, who was sent off due to a direct red card during the FIFA World Cup 2026 match between Mexico and England held on July 5, 2026, at Mexico City Stadium: a two-match suspension for violating article 14 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

“The suspension will be served in the forthcoming match(es) of the England representative team in the FIFA World Cup 2026, in accordance with article 69 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.”