Three red cards in Mexico–South Africa revive a rare World Cup phenomenon

Mexico’s 2‑0 win over South Africa in the 2026 World Cup opener delivered more than the tournament’s first three points: it produced one of the rarest disciplinary events in World Cup history. Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio issued three red cards, only the fourth time such a tally has occurred since the introduction of cards in 1970. Yaya Sithole was dismissed early in the second half, followed by Themba Zwane after a VAR review, before Mexico’s Cesar Montes also saw red in stoppage time.

The precedent is limited. South Africa were involved in the first triple‑red match in 1998, when Denmark and Bafana Bafana finished with nine and ten men respectively. The 2006 tournament featured two more such games: Croatia versus Australia, remembered for Graham Poll’s infamous officiating, and Italy’s bruising 1‑1 draw with the United States. Earlier eras saw similar chaos without cards, but only two matches before 1970 involved three dismissals.