Canada's 6-0 victory over Qatar highlights record red cards at 2026 World Cup

Canada thrashed Qatar 6‑0 in the second round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, securing its first ever knockout‑stage appearance. Jonathan David scored a hat‑trick, joining Lionel Messi as a joint top scorer and becoming only the second player from the CONCACAF region to net three goals in a single World Cup match.

The tournament’s early matches have already set a new disciplinary benchmark, with six red cards issued in just 28 games – surpassing the totals in the 2018 and 2022 editions. Brazilian referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio accounted for half of those expulsions, including two in the Canada‑Qatar game, while other dismissals occurred in matches involving Switzerland, Bosnia‑Herzegovina, Mexico and South Africa.