World Cup Red Cards: Most Infamous Ejections

World Cup history has recorded 189 red card incidents involving players across its 96 years of existence. These ejections, whether direct red cards or due to accumulated yellow cards, have varied in circumstance and consequence. Peru's Plácido Galindo was the first player sent off in 1930, though cards were not yet in use. The actual red card was first issued in 1974 to Chile's Carlos Caszely.

Notable ejections include Uruguay's José Batista, who received a red card after just 56 seconds in 1986, a record that still stands. In 1994, Italy's Gianluca Pagliuca became the first goalkeeper to be sent off. The "Battle of Nuremberg" in 2006 saw a record 16 yellow and four red cards issued between the Netherlands and Portugal.

More recent controversial moments include Luis Suárez's handball in 2010, which prevented a goal but resulted in a penalty and a red card. English referee Graham Poll infamously issued three yellow cards to Josip Šimunić in 2006 without sending him off until after the match. The 2006 final saw Zinedine Zidane's career end with a headbutt and a red card.

Under a new FIFA rule introduced for the 2026 World Cup, players covering their mouths during confrontations now risk a red card, as seen with Miguel Almirón. Folarin Balogun of the USMNT is the latest player to be ejected, receiving a red card in 2026, which results in an automatic suspension for the subsequent match.