Steve Bruce demands World Cup rule is changed immediately to prevent England disaster

Jul 10, 2026 - 17:30

Four England players are walking a disciplinary tightrope ahead of Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final against Norway.

Marc Guehi, Nico O’Reilly and Declan Rice all received yellow cards in last weekend’s 3-2 win over Mexico.

Thomas Tuchel is hoping his players will be on their best behaviour against Norway

And four-goal hero Jude Bellingham also has one strike next to his name after his booking in the last-32 win over DR Congo.

However, those individual bookings are in danger of disrupting England’s World Cup charge.

A booking for any of the quartet would see them miss a potential blockbuster semi-final clash with Argentina or Switzerland next Wednesday.

What are the rules regarding yellow cards?

Any yellow cards picked up during the group stage were wiped before the last 32.

Rice was the beneficiary of this having seen his booking in the goalless draw with Ghana cleared.

Any player who receives two yellow cards across the last 32, last 16 and quarter-final stages will received a one-match ban.

Therefore, if a player is booked in the last 32 and last 16, he would then miss the quarter-final.

If a player is booked in either one of the last 32 or last 16 and then in the quarter-final, they would miss the semi-final.

Yellow cards are then reset after the quarter-final stage meaning a player would only miss the final through suspension or if they are sent off in the semi-final.

Jude Bellingham’s yellow card against DR Congo hangs over him for one more game before it is wiped

Declan Rice of England is shown a Yellow card and booked by referee Said Martinez during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match between England and Ghana at Boston Stadium — Declan rice is another player at risk of suspension

The long-standing rule has been amended over the years and for some it has proved to be a brutal experience.

But if England are to head into a possible semi-final with all their big guns at hand they must emulate France’s approach.

At risk of losing Michael Olise, Bradley Barcola and Manu Kone for a possible semi-final with Spain or Belgium, the trio came through Thursday’s 2-0 win over Morocco unscathed.

But those in a similar position might not be so lucky as the World Cup gears up for the final three quarter-final ties this weekend.

Scrap it!

Ex-Premier League boss Steve Bruce believes the law needs to change to protect the players and to ensure the star names are involved in showpiece matches.

“There’s nothing worse than this hanging around you especially with our biggest player of the lot in Bellingham,” Bruce told talkSPORT.

“I honestly believe it should be changed now this law.

Former Manchester United captain Steve Bruce in the talkSPORT studio — Steve Bruce has call on football’s law makers to amend the rules around tournament yellow cards

“Two yellow cards in six or seven games is not a lot these days especially if it’s a big competitive game like it was the other night for example (England vs Mexico).

“I’m a little bit against that ruling in tournaments,” he added. “To rule somebody out, can you imagine you’re suspended for a semi-final or a final?

“It would be one of the worst situations you could think of.”

England’s crunch clash with Norway kicks off at 10pm (UK Time) 5pm (local) on Saturday – live on talkSPORT.

Adrian Durham will present live coverage from Miami with commentary from Jim Proudfoot and former England captain Stuart Pearce.