The FIFA World Cup isn’t just about beautiful goals and heroic moments—it’s also packed with controversy, drama, and red card chaos. Over the years, some dismissals have stunned fans, changed matches, and gone down in soccer folklore. There are some interesting stories about World Cup red cards.

Here are the 15 most shocking World Cup Red Cards in history.

1. Zinedine Zidane – France vs. Italy (2006 Final)

Perhaps the most infamous red card ever. Zidane’s headbutt on Marco Materazzi in extra time of the final ended his career in disgrace and stunned millions.

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2. David Beckham – England vs. Argentina (1998)

A petulant kick on Diego Simeone saw Beckham sent off and vilified in England. The red card became a national talking point for years.

3. Wayne Rooney – England vs. Portugal (2006)

Rooney was dismissed for a stamp on Ricardo Carvalho. The moment also fueled drama between him and then-Manchester United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.

4. Antonio Rattín – Argentina vs. England (1966)

The first ever red card controversy in World Cup history. Rattín was dismissed without fully understanding why, sparking outrage and contributing to the invention of yellow/red cards.

5. Claudio Gentile – Italy vs. Brazil (1982)

While never actually shown a red in this match, Gentile’s brutal treatment of Zico and others remains one of the most debated refereeing leniencies in World Cup lore.

6. Josip Šimunić – Croatia vs. Australia (2006)

He received three yellow cards before being sent off! A refereeing blunder of epic proportions by Graham Poll.

7. Rigobert Song – Cameroon vs. Brazil (1994)

The youngest player ever to receive a red card in World Cup history at age 17. Cameroon’s fiery approach was costly.

8. Harold Schumacher – West Germany vs. France (1982)

While not red-carded, his infamous challenge on Battiston, which left the Frenchman unconscious, remains one of the most shocking no-calls ever.

9. Leonardo – Brazil vs. USA (1994)

Leonardo’s brutal elbow to Tab Ramos’s head left the American midfielder hospitalized and Leonardo banned for the rest of the tournament.

10. Pep Guardiola – Spain vs. Paraguay (1998)

A rarely mentioned dismissal, Guardiola was controversially sent off for a tactical foul. It ended his World Cup journey early and left fans divided. No video of this moments were found.

11. Luis Suárez – Uruguay vs. Ghana (2010)

A deliberate handball to stop a last-minute winner. Suárez was sent off, but Ghana missed the penalty. One of the most controversial but strategic red cards ever.

12. Benjamin Massing – Cameroon vs. Argentina (1990)

His wild, studs-up challenge on Caniggia is still replayed in highlight reels for its sheer brutality. Cameroon still won the game!

13. Laurent Blanc – France vs. Croatia (1998)

Blanc was sent off for an off-the-ball incident, missing the final. Many believe it was a harsh decision that robbed him of his ultimate moment.

14. Gheorghe Hagi – Romania vs. Sweden (1994)

One of Romania’s greatest, Hagi was shown red late in the game for descent, which sparked debate in Romanian football circles. No video of this moments were found.

15. Wilmar Barrios – Colombia vs. England (2018)

While Barrios somehow escaped a red during the game for a headbutt, Colombia’s red card later on cemented the match as one of the dirtiest in recent memory.

That’s it

World Cup red cards are moments of madness, injustice, or cold calculation. Whether it’s Zidane’s iconic exit or Suárez’s controversial save, these incidents shape legacies and alter tournaments forever. Love them or hate them, they’re part of what makes the World Cup unforgettable.

References

• ESPN FC
• Sky Sports
• BBC Sport
• The Guardian Football
• YouTube fan channels: Classic Goals, Football’s Great Moments