The England national team received a heavy blow ahead of their anticipated quarter-final clash against Norway in the 2026 World Cup, after defender Jarell Quansah was suspended for two matches following his sending off during the round of 16 match against Mexico.

The suspension decision came after Quansah received a red card following the referee's review of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), which showed his violent tackle on a Mexican player, stamping on his leg with his boot.

Absence until the potential final

The English Football Association was considering the possibility of filing an appeal, citing a previous decision by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to suspend a one-match ban for American forward Folarin Balogun during the tournament.

However, the two-match suspension means Quansah will miss England's quarter-final against Norway, as well as the semi-final if the English team advances.

Defensive crisis for Tuchel

The English defender will only be able to return to participate in the tournament if his country reaches the final.

Quansah's absence represents a new crisis for German coach Thomas Tuchel, who is already suffering from a shortage of defensive options due to injuries, at a time when the English team seeks to continue its journey towards competing for the World Cup title.