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The 32 players who could miss the World Cup semi-finals through suspension

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Neymar and Jesse Lingard are just two of numerous players at risk of missing the semi-finals, if their sides get there
Neymar and Jesse Lingard are just two of numerous players at risk of missing the semi-finals, if their sides get there

Tomorrow marks the start of the World Cup quarter-finals, but some players know they are walking a tightrope as the competition heats up.

Although all bookings are wiped out after the quarter-finals, any player picking up their second caution of the tournament at this stage would be banned for the semi-finals.

FIFA changed the rules in 2010 so players will not be banned from the final if they pick up their second booking in the semi-final and only if they were sent off in the last four. But that does not come into effect until after the quarter-final games are played.

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And it means some big names could miss out on the biggest game of their careers so far, if they go into the referee’s notebook over the next couple of days.

For England, regular starters Jordan Henderson, Jesse Lingard and Kyle Walker have all been cautioned, whilst Ruben Loftus-Cheek is also one booking away from suspension.

Brazil are perhaps in the most precarious position, with Neymar and Phillippe Coutinho, their two most creative players, both walking a disciplinary tight rope.

France could lose Olivier Giroud or Paul Pogba, whilst Kevin De Bruyne is in danger for Belgium.

Paul Pogba could miss a French semi-final, if they beat Uruguay
Paul Pogba could miss a French semi-final, if they beat Uruguay

Croatia are the side most at risk, with eight players already booked, whilst Rodrigo Bentancur is the only Uruguayan on a yellow card.

The full lost of players who have been booked and would be suspended for the semi-finals if they received another yellow card in the quarter-finals is below.

ENGLAND

Jordan Henderson
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Jesse Lingard
Kyle Walker

FRANCE

Olivier Giroud
Benjamin Pavard
Paul Pogba
Corentin Tolisso

URUGUAY

Rodrigo Bentancur

BELGIUM

Belgian playmaker Kevin De Bruyne is one of five players to have been booked
Belgian playmaker Kevin De Bruyne is one of five players to have been booked

Kevin De Bruyne
Leander Dendoncker
Thomas Meunier
Youri Tielemans
Jan Vertonghen

BRAZIL

Philippe Coutinho
Felipe Luis
Neymar

SWEDEN

Viktor Claesson
Albin Ekdal

CROATIA

Marcelo Brozovic
Vedran Corluka
Tin Jedvaj
Mario Mandzukic
Marko Pjaca
Ivan Rakitic
Ante Rebic
Sime Vrsaljko

RUSSIA

Russian star Aleksandr Golovin needs to be careful against Croatia

Yury Gazinsky
Aleksandr Golovin
Ilya Kutepov
Fyodor Smolov
Roman Zobnin