Jarell Quansah was banned for two games after the fight in Mexico



Just when England thought they had momentum on their side, disaster struck. Jarell Quansah will be sidelined for two matches after being sent off in the last 16 of the World Cup, leaving the squad still facing an important match. Quansah’s dismissal came on time England’s 3-2 victory over Mexicoa match that is already full of drama. A VAR review confirmed that the defender’s sliding challenge crossed the line into the penalty area, earning him a straight red card.

FIFA he has now been handed a two-match ban for a foul, meaning the young defender will miss England’s quarter-final against Norway and possibly the semi-finals if the team progress. For manager Thomas Tuchel, the timing could not have been worse as England’s back line is already thin, and Quansah’s absence exacerbates the problem.

First-choice right-back Reece James is still out with a hamstring injury, while Tino Livramento has been ruled out even before the start of the tournament. Quansah, who is normally a central defender, stepped in to fill the gap, making his punishment even worse.

Tuchel did not hide his frustration with the decision. โ€œTo be clear it was not a red card. VAR was involved. A decision is made. Who overrules this decision and when and on what grounds? It’s strange to me. We want stability,” he said.

England had briefly considered appealing the decision, especially after FIFA overturned the one-match ban. American striker Folarin Balogun early in the tournament. The inconsistency has raised eyebrows in the football world, with Tuchel joking about outside influence when asked if Donald Trump should intervene. “Maybe,” he laughed.

Meanwhile, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended the integrity of the disciplinary process as the investigation grows.

As if the suspension was not enough, England have also lost midfielder Jordan Henderson for the rest of the tournament after wrist surgery following a freak injury during the post-match celebrations.

The England vs Norway FIFA World Cup quarter-final match will take place on Sunday, July 12, 2026, at 2.30 am Gulf Standard Time (GST).

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