Nicols Otamendi & Moiss Caicedo have been allowed to play in games at the World Cup in 2026 as their bans were lifted. Both players were shown red cards during their final group matches.
The pair have been granted a special dispensation by FIFA to play as a blanket ban for any accumulated suspensions from World Cup qualifiers was issued by the governing body, ensuring every country takes the strongest possible team to their final matches.
FIFA announced: “Single yellow cards and one or two match pending suspensions were cancelled with the final decision of FIFA.” “The statement was released on Friday.”
The defender Otamendi and the midfielder Caicedo were both dismissed in September’s 0-2 success over Argentina for their nation. Otamendi was shown a straight red for a professional foul, while Caicedo was sent off for receiving two yellow cards. Those bans will be in place for future games in the country after the tournament has concluded.
The choice is after the deferred ban of Cristiano Ronaldo by FIFA, allowing him to represent his nation in the competition.
Otamendi will be attending his 4 th World Cup as an Argentina player, and it will be the 2 nd tournament as a Chelsea player for the midfielder Caicedo, since the 2022 Qatar finals.
There is also clearance for the Qatar defender Tarek Salman after his two-game ban of two games.
