Three Brazil players risk missing last-32 match

Brazil may be at the top of Group C with four points from two matches, but concerns are growing in the squad ahead of their third group match against Scotland. Three players risk missing the last-32 match if they receive a yellow card against Scotland.

Brazil began their quest for the Hexa with a draw against Morocco but bounced back with a dominant win over Haiti. A draw against Scotland on Thursday morning, June 25 (Bangladesh time), will be enough to secure a knockout berth, while a win will confirm them as group champions.

However, midfielder Casemiro, left-back Douglas Santos and centre-back Roger Ibanez are all at risk of suspension for the last-32 match if they receive a second yellow card in the Scotland game. All three have already been booked once in the tournament.

FIFA has made significant changes to the yellow card and suspension rules for this World Cup due to the increased number of matches. Under the new rules, accumulated yellow cards will be cleared in two phases — after the group stage and before the quarter-finals. This means yellow cards picked up in the group stage will not carry over to the knockout rounds. The only exception is that if a player receives a second yellow card in the final group match, they will be suspended for the last-32 match.