FIFA have slapped Jarell Quansah with a two-match ban – despite strong representations from the FA.
Daily Mail Sport previously reported that the FA were considering appealing Quansah’s red card against Mexico after President Donald Trump controversially called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to overturn Folarin Balogun’s one-match suspension.
Bayer Leverkusen defender Quansah was sent off following a VAR review for a sliding tackle in England‘s last-16 victory over Mexico that initially went unpunished on the field.
The FA declined to comment but Daily Mail Sport understands that while there is no avenue for appeal, they did make a series of observations to FIFA similar to those made by US officials following the dismissal of Folarin Balogun.
After a direct call to FIFA president Infantino by President Trump, Balogun’s ban was suspended for a year, which allowed him to play against Belgium in what transpired to be a humbling 4-1 defeat.
However, it was a different story for England, with FIFA deciding to go beyond the automatic one-match ban and increase it to two games, meaning Quansah will miss the quarter-final against Norway and semi-final, should England progress on Saturday.
Jarell Quansah has been banned for two matches following his red card against Mexico
Quansah will not be able to feature again at this tournament unless England reach the final
Quansah received his marching orders for a tackle on left back Jesus Gallardo in the 54th minute of the Three Lions’ epic 3-2 win at the Azteca.
The ex-Liverpool man won the ball but caught his opponent with his studs on his follow throw.
Red cards automatically result in a one-match suspension at the World Cup, but FIFA can extend bans as they see fit and it now means Quansah won’t be able to feature again at this tournament until the final, should England make it.
Following the game an outraged head coach Thomas Tuchel bemoaned the use of still images and slow-motion replays in the VAR process.
In the Premier League, officials review incidents in real time. This was a similar point to that made by the US when they and Trump got involved in Balogun’s situation.
FIFA have insisted the Balogun decision was made independently but have faced widespread allegations over the integrity of the competition. Indeed, UEFA branded the move ‘unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable’.
While the British government did not get involved, the FA lodged what they believed was a strong case.
However, it met with a very different response.
In a statement, FIFA said: ‘The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has imposed the following sanction on England’s national-team player Jarell Quansah, who was sent off as a result of a direct red card during the FIFA World Cup 2026 match between Mexico and England played on 5 July 2026 at Mexico City Stadium: 2-match suspension for a breach of article 14 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
‘The suspension will be served in the upcoming match(es) of the representative team of England in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and in accordance with art. 69 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.’
Bukayo Saka admitted frustration within the England camp at FIFA’s call just days after offering Balogun a reprieve.
‘It’s very frustrating for sure,’ Saka said. ‘It is why it is. We have to deal with it, adapt and get ready. I don’t know what to say (about Balogun). It was FIFA’s decision. This decision for us is frustrating. We had to pick a team that is ready.’
Nico O’Reilly echoed Saka’s sentiments and revealed the extent of Quansah’s disappointment inside the camp.
‘It’s sad for him,’ the Manchester City defender added. ‘Unfortunate. I’m gutted for him. He’s not happy about it. The decision is made now and he’s got his head around it.’
O’Reilly added: ‘It’s not ideal obviously. We’ve got great players here. You’ve seen the impact from the bench. We were so solid with 10 men.’
Quansah’s ban is the latest disciplinary concern, with Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Marc Guehi all on yellow cards. Another against Norway would see each ruled out of a possible semi-final.
Quansah was shown no mercy by FIFA days after Donald Trump’s controversial intervention
FIFA suspended star US striker Folarin Balogun’s red card for one year following a phone call between Trump and FIFA boss Gianni Infantino
It is clear to see why Quansah’s ban has brought a great deal of bemusement given the precedent set with the Balogun case, following President Trump’s interferance.
Speaking at the White House on Monday, the President offered no apologies for his unprecedented move but insisted he did not demand Balogun’s ban was flipped in his phone call with FIFA’s Infantino.
‘Yeah, I did, I spoke to Gianni. I asked for a review by FIFA,’ Trump said. ‘That’s all I did. And, you know, again, I’m good at this stuff.
‘That wasn’t a foul. That wasn’t even an infraction. That was two guys running full speed who happened to crash into each other.
‘He (Balogun) didn’t do anything wrong, and he’s our best player, or one of our best players, a very vital player and they gave him a red card. I didn’t think it meant much. Then I started hearing that it means you can’t play in the next game, at least in the next game.
‘These were two great athletes who got tangled up. And this referee, who is a little bit suspect – if you check his past. I don’t want to say that because I don’t like to create controversy, but very suspect. If you’d like, I’ll provide you with his past.’
Trump insisted he didn’t force Infantino to make Balogun available.
‘I didn’t say ‘you have to do this’. Gianni is a smart, tough man and his stock is going through the roof,’ Trump said.
‘I didn’t know what the hell a red card was. When I found out I said ‘you gotta be kidding’. I said ‘wow, that’s a lot of power, that’s terrible’. But then I looked at his past and it wasn’t so great.
‘I didn’t tell him (Infantino) what to do, I can’t tell him what to do.’
Shortly after Trump spoke, Infantino released a statement on the growing backlash across the world.
‘Yes, I regularly discuss matters related to the FIFA World Cup with the President of the United States, and on this matter, I did receive a call from President Donald Trump, just as I receive calls from heads of state, government officials, football stakeholders and business executives from around the world on many different issues,’ Infantino said.
‘During our conversation, I explained that there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA’s independent judicial bodies and that the case would be decided in due course by the competent bodies. That is how FIFA’s system works, and it is a principle that I will always uphold.
‘I read the decisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee when they are issued.
‘Sometimes I am surprised by them. Sometimes I agree with them, and sometimes I disagree.
England boss Thomas Tuchel has been left furious with the quality of World Cup officiating
‘What I always do, however, is respect those decisions and the autonomy of the bodies that make them.
‘Whether we personally like a decision or not is irrelevant. Respect for independent institutions and the rule of law is what protects the integrity of our competitions and the credibility of FIFA at all times.’
Balogun played but could not save the US from elimination, with Belgium running out 4-1 winners in Seattle. The Belgians promptly mocked Trump in the aftermath of their victory, jokingly performing the President’s dance moves in the dressing room.
As for England, Djed Spence is likely to come into the side in place of Quansah in what is set to be the only change from the win over Mexico.
Right back has been a problem position for England all tournament with Reece James struggling with a hamstring problem while Newcastle’s Tino Livramento withdrew from the squad on the eve of the tournament with a calf injury.
James, 26, was absent from training on Wednesday as he continues his accelerated recovery programme, and it remains to be seen whether he will be ready for Saturday’s last eight clash in Miami.
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