Michael Olise has received a second booking and is now at risk of being suspended at the World Cup as France’s appeal to FIFA for the yellow card awarded to him during their Round of 16 win against Paraguay was rejected.
The Crystal Palace forward has been one of France’s most impressive performers in 2026 and was booked in the closing stages of Tuesday night’s clash after a tussle with Paraguayan midfielder Matias Galarza. Replays showed the alleged offence was slight; Olise had made what appeared to be a lip-sealing gesture towards Galarza, who then theatrically tumbled to the turf.
FIFA upheld the referee’s decision, however.
“The yellow card has not changed. We were notified by FIFA this morning; it has been maintained,” France manager Didier Deschamps announced in a press conference. If Olise is cautioned again in Thursday’s quarter-final with Morocco, he will miss any subsequent semi-final with Spain or Belgium, in the event that Les Bleus get through to face either of those two European rivals.
Both teammates Bradley Barcola and Manu Kone have one booking each heading into the quarter-final, meaning they will also be at risk if they receive a further yellow card.
On a positive note, Didier Deschamps gave positive news regarding midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, who was absent from the Paraguay encounter with a thigh issue.
“Aurelien is doing better. He may take part in training today, but I will have to assess him.
The others are all available.”
Deschamps’ men will look to advance past Morocco and reach the last four of the World Cup.
