World Cup: Bellingham, Hakimi, Rice among 17 players at risk of suspension

Seventeen players will head into this week’s World Cup quarter-finals knowing that another yellow card will rule them out of a potential semi-final.

Players who receive a second booking of the tournament during the last-eight fixtures will serve a one-match suspension, putting their participation in the semi-finals at risk if their teams advance.

Among those walking the disciplinary tightrope are Morocco’s Issa Diop, Achraf Hakimi, Redouane Halhal and Bilal El Khannouss.

England have four players at risk: Jude Bellingham, Nico O’Reilly, Declan Rice and Marc Guehi.

France duo Manu Kone and Michael Olise are also one caution away from suspension.

Switzerland’s Granit Xhaka, Denis Zakaria and Miro Muheim face the same situation, while Spain’s Ferran Torres, Norway’s Antonio Nusa, Belgium’s Brandon Mechele and Argentina’s Gonzalo Montiel complete the list of players at risk.

Any of the 17 players who are booked in the quarter-finals will be suspended for the semi-finals if their respective nations progress.

Vanguard News