Two England stars will get a boost from a World Cup rule change in the game against DR Congo after FIFA decided not to give a punishment.
Good news for England fans! Thanks to a new FIFA rule, two English players won’t have to worry about missing the World Cup last 16 game if they make it past DR Congo.
Thomas Tuchel’s team faces DR Congo, who came third in Group K, at the Atlanta Stadium this Wednesday. Since England topped Group I, they’re set to play one of the third-placed teams in the next round. If they win on Wednesday, they’ll move on to the last 16 to play Mexico in Mexico City.
That match will be tough, taking place in the huge Azteca Stadium, which has been a tough place for opponents so far this World Cup. Mexico beat Ecuador 2-0 in their round of 32 game, though Ecuador had chances that were stopped by great saves.
With England’s injury problems on right-back, Tuchel will want as many players fit as possible if the team keeps going. Thankfully, he can be a bit more relaxed about Declan Rice and Jarell Quansah, who won’t get suspended for yellow cards thanks to the new FIFA rule.
Before, players risked suspension if they picked up too many yellow cards, which only reset at the quarter-finals. Now, with the World Cup expanded to 48 teams, yellow cards are wiped clean at the end of the group stage. That means Rice and Quansah, who each have one yellow, won’t miss the last 16 because of bookings.
Quansah looked set to miss the DR Congo game due to an ankle injury but is now on the bench. It’s not clear yet if he’ll play, though. However, any player who gets booked in this round will have to be careful in the next match against Mexico.
This new timing helps make sure players don’t miss the World Cup final because of yellow card rules, but if a player gets two yellows in one game, they’ll still be suspended for the next match.
Quansah usually plays centre-back but filled in at right-back after Reece James got injured. He only lasted an hour in the win over Panama before leaving due to injury. Djed Spence, a natural right-back, will start against DR Congo — his second start of the tournament. Rice is back in the starting lineup too, after missing the Panama game.
Already, from matches before England’s, some players from other teams are on one yellow card and will need to be careful not to get booked again in the last 16. This includes players from Norway, Morocco, Paraguay, Brazil, and Canada.
So, England’s key players can be a bit more confident knowing they won’t miss the next game due to bookings, and fans can look forward to an exciting match ahead!