The 17 World Cup quarter-finalists that could miss semi-finals due to FIFA suspension rules

Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty ImagesThe World Cup quarter-final ties are now locked in, the first of the matches kick-off on Thursday.

>Perhaps the biggest talking point from this summer’s tournament has been Folarin Balogun’s suspension U-turn by FIFA.

>Following intervention from the President of the United States of America, the USMNT striker was suddenly available to play against Belgium despite picking up a red card in the previous game.

>Suspensions will be a big topic of focus heading into the latest round of fixtures, with 17 players at risk of seeing another yellow card, which would make them ineligible for the semi-final – should their team make it.

>These players have already picked up a yellow card in one of the two knockout games so far; another yellow card in their respective quarter-final would put them out of their potential semi-final ties.

Photo by MAURO PIMENTEL / AFP via Getty ImagesWhich players are at risk of a FIFA suspension at the World CupArgentina and Switzerland booked their spots in the final eight on Tuesday, with Morocco, England, France, Spain, Belgium and Norway making up the remaining sides.

>England and Morocco have the most players at risk, with four of their squad members already picking up a yellow card.

Issa Diop – Morocco • >Achraf Hakimi – Morocco • >Redouane Halhal – Morocco • >Bilal El Khannouss – Morocco • >Jude Bellingham – England • >Nico O’Reilly – England • >Declan Rice – England • >Marc Guehi – EnglandNext up it is Switzerland, who have three players walking the tightrope, following Tuesday’s victory over Colombia.

Granit Xhaka – Switzerland • >Denis Zakaria – Switzerland • >Miro Muheim – Switzerlandhe favourites to get their hands on the trophy, France, are heading into their quarter-final clash against Morocco with just two players on yellow cards.

Michael Olise – France • >Manu Kone – FranceThere are then four players from the other four nations that are going to have to be careful in their respective quarter-final clashes.

Ferran Torres – Spain • >Antonio Nusa – Norway • >Brandon Mechele – Belgium • >Gonzalo Montiel – ArgentinaFor whichever four sides make it through to the semi-finals, their players will have their disciplinary records reset.

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