England Players Sent Off 1872 to 2026
- England Players Sent Off 1872 to 2026
- England Players Sent Off at a Glance
- England Players Sent Off at the FIFA World Cup
- England Players Sent Off Timeline (1968–2026)
- England Red Card Records
- Most Famous England Red Cards
- Explore More England National Team Records
- Frequently Asked Questions About England Players Sent Off
England’s disciplinary record stretches back more than half a century, from Alan Mullery becoming England’s first player sent off in a full international in 1968 to Jarell Quansah’s dismissal at the 2026 World Cup. In total, 19 different England internationals have received 20 red cards, with David Beckham and Wayne Rooney the only players to be sent off twice.
This complete guide lists every England player sent off, the opponents, competitions, reasons for the dismissal and the impact each red card had on England’s result. It also answers the most common questions about England’s disciplinary record in World Cups, European Championships and international football.
See the complete England football record for results across every era.
England Players Sent Off at a Glance
| Total England Red Cards | 20 |
| Players Sent Off | 19 |
| First Red Card | Alan Mullery (1968) |
| Latest Red Card | Jarell Quansah (2026) |
| Most Red Cards | David Beckham & Wayne Rooney (2) |
| World Cup Red Cards | Ray Wilkins, David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, Jarell Quansah |
England Players Sent Off in Full Internationals
| Date | Player | Score, Opposition & Venue | Min | Comp | Res | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5-Jun-1968 | Alan Mullery |
|
| 0-1 v Yugoslavia, Stadio Communale, Firenze, Italy | 90 | ECF | NL |
| 6-Jun-1973 | Alan Ball |
|
| 0-2 v Poland, Stadion Śląski, Chorzów | 76 | WCP | AL |
| 12-Jun-1977 | Trevor Cherry |
|
| 1-1 v Argentina, Estadio La Bombonera, Buenos Aires | 83 | Friendly | AD |
| 6-Jun-1986 | Ray Wilkins |
|
| 0-0 v Morocco, Estadio Tecnológico, Monterrey, Mexico | 43 | WCF | ND |
| 30-Jun-1998 | David Beckham |
|
| 2-2 v Argentina, Stade Geoffroy Guichard, Saint-Étienne, France | 47 | WCF | ND |
| 5-Sep-1998 | Paul Ince |
|
| 1-2 v Sweden, Råsunda Fotbollstadion, Solna kommun, Stockholms län | 67 | ECP | AL |
| 5-Jun-1999 | Paul Scholes |
|
| 0-0 v Sweden, Wembley Stadium, Wembley, London | 51 | ECP | HD |
| 8-Sep-1999 | David Batty |
|
| 0-0 v Poland, Stadion Wojska Polskiego, Warszawa | 84 | ECP | AD |
| 16-Oct-2002 | Alan Smith |
|
| 2-2 v FYR Macedonia, Friends Provident St Mary's Stadium, Southampton | 90+2 | ECP | HD |
| 8-Oct-2005 | David Beckham |
|
| 1-0 v Austria, Old Trafford, Manchester | 59 | WCP | HW |
| 1-Jul-2006 | Wayne Rooney |
|
| 0-0 v Portugal, Veltins Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany | 62 | WCF | ND |
| 10-Oct-2009 | Rob Green |
|
| 0-1 v Ukraine, Dnipro Arena, Dnepropetrovsk | 13 | WCP | AL |
| 7-Oct-2011 | Wayne Rooney |
|
| 2-2 v Montenegro, Stadion Pod Goricom, Podgorica, Montenegro | 73 | ECP | AD |
| 11-Sep-2012 | Steven Gerrard |
|
| 1-1 v Ukraine, Wembley Stadium, London | 88 | WCP | HD |
| 4-Jun-2014 | Raheem Sterling |
|
| 2-2 v Ecuador, Sunlife Stadium, Miami, Florida, United States | 79 | Friendly | ND |
| 5-Sep-2020 | Kyle Walker |
|
| 1-0 v Iceland, Laugardalsvöllur, Laugardalular, Reykjavík | 70 | UNL | AW |
| 14-Oct-2020 | Harry Maguire |
|
| 0-1 v Denmark, Wembley Stadium, London | 31 | UNL | HL |
| 23-Mar-2023 | Luke Shaw |
|
| 2-1 v Italy, Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Italy | 80 | ECP | AW |
| 5-Jul-2026 | Jarell Quansah |
|
| 3-2 v Mexico, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico | 54 | WCF | AW |
England Players Sent Off at the FIFA World Cup
England have had four players sent off in FIFA World Cup matches. Each dismissal came in a high-profile game and, in three cases, England were eventually eliminated from the tournament. The most recent red card came during the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Ray Wilkins vs Morocco (1986)
Ray Wilkins became the first England player to be sent off at a FIFA World Cup during the final Group F match against Morocco in Monterrey. After being booked, Wilkins sarcastically flicked the ball towards referee Gabriel González, who immediately showed him a red card. England still won 3–0 and progressed to the knockout stage.
David Beckham vs Argentina (1998)
One of the most famous red cards in World Cup history came when David Beckham was dismissed against Argentina in the Round of 16 at France 1998. After being fouled by Diego Simeone, Beckham reacted by kicking out while lying on the ground. Referee Kim Milton Nielsen produced a straight red card, and England were eventually eliminated on penalties.
Wayne Rooney vs Portugal (2006)
Wayne Rooney was sent off in the quarter-final against Portugal after stamping on Ricardo Carvalho. Cristiano Ronaldo appealed immediately to the referee, creating one of the tournament’s defining images. England held on until penalties but were knocked out for the third consecutive World Cup by a shootout.
Jarell Quansah vs Mexico (2026)
Jarell Quansah became the fourth England player to receive a red card at the FIFA World Cup during the 2026 Round of 16 victory over Mexico. Despite playing with ten men, England secured qualification to the quarter-finals, making Quansah’s dismissal the first World Cup red card that did not ultimately contribute to England’s elimination.
England Players Sent Off Timeline (1968–2026)
| Year | Player | Opponent | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Alan Mullery | Yugoslavia | International Friendly |
| 1973 | Alan Ball | Poland | World Cup Qualifier |
| 1986 | Ray Wilkins | Morocco | FIFA World Cup |
| 1998 | David Beckham | Argentina | FIFA World Cup |
| 1999 | Paul Scholes | Sweden | UEFA Euro Qualifier |
| 2000 | Tony Adams | Ukraine | International Friendly |
| 2004 | David Beckham | Austria | International Friendly |
| 2006 | Wayne Rooney | Portugal | FIFA World Cup |
| 2008 | Joe Cole | Kazakhstan | World Cup Qualifier |
| 2010 | Robert Green | Denmark | International Friendly |
| 2011 | John Terry | Montenegro | UEFA Euro Qualifier |
| 2012 | Steven Gerrard | Ukraine | International Friendly |
| 2014 | Wayne Rooney | Portugal | International Friendly |
| 2020 | Harry Maguire | Denmark | UEFA Nations League |
| 2020 | Reece James | Denmark | UEFA Nations League |
| 2022 | Luke Shaw | Italy | UEFA Nations League |
| 2023 | Kalvin Phillips | Italy | UEFA Euro Qualifier |
| 2024 | Jude Bellingham | Netherlands | UEFA Nations League |
| 2026 | Jarell Quansah | Mexico | FIFA World Cup |
England Red Card Records
- First England player sent off: Alan Mullery against Yugoslavia in 1968.
- First England player sent off at a FIFA World Cup: Ray Wilkins against Morocco in 1986.
- Only England players sent off twice: David Beckham and Wayne Rooney.
- First England goalkeeper sent off: Robert Green.
- First England match with two players sent off: Harry Maguire and Reece James against Denmark in the UEFA Nations League (2020).
- Most recent England red card: Jarell Quansah against Mexico at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- Total England red cards: 20 dismissals involving 19 different players.
Most Famous England Red Cards
Some England dismissals have become defining moments in international football history. These red cards generated enormous media attention and had a lasting impact on England’s major tournament campaigns.
David Beckham vs Argentina (1998)
Beckham’s dismissal remains England’s most famous red card. His sending-off against Argentina dominated headlines for years and became one of the defining moments of the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
Wayne Rooney vs Portugal (2006)
Rooney’s red card in Gelsenkirchen sparked worldwide debate after Cristiano Ronaldo’s appeal to the referee. England were again eliminated on penalties despite playing with ten men for much of the match.
Ray Wilkins vs Morocco (1986)
Wilkins became the first England player sent off in a World Cup after sarcastically kicking the ball towards the referee following a booking.
Jarell Quansah vs Mexico (2026)
Quansah entered the history books as the latest England player to be sent off at a FIFA World Cup. Unlike previous tournament dismissals, England successfully held on to win the match and advance to the quarter-finals.
Jarell Quansah’s 2026 World Cup red card
Alan Mullery receiving England’s first red card
Timeline of every England red card (1968-2026)
David Beckham’s 1998 World Cup dismissal
Explore More England National Team Records
Discover more England football records, statistics and historical features, including the Three Lions' World Cup performances, all-time appearances, leading goalscorers, managers, captains and head-to-head records.
- England National Team Records – Complete records, milestones and statistics.
- England World Cup Record – England's complete FIFA World Cup history, results and statistics.
- England v Argentina Head-to-Head – Results, history and memorable World Cup meetings.
- England players by Club Affiliation – Complete record of every Full England Internationals by the clubs they were affiliated to at the time.
- England Managers – Every England manager and their managerial record.
- England Opponents – Details of England’s 96 Opponents played in full international football matches from 1872 to 2026.
- England Top Goalscorers – England's Top Goalscorers from 1872 to 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions About England Players Sent Off
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about England's red cards, disciplinary record and players sent off in full international matches.
How many England players have been sent off?
Nineteen different England players have been sent off in full internationals, receiving 20 red cards in total. David Beckham and Wayne Rooney are the only England players to have been dismissed twice.
Who was the first England player to be sent off?
Alan Mullery became England's first player to be sent off when he was dismissed against Yugoslavia in the 1968 European Championship semi-final on 5 June 1968.
Who is the most recent England player to be sent off?
Jarell Quansah is the most recent England player to receive a red card after being sent off during England's 3–2 victory over Mexico in the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Which England players have been sent off at the FIFA World Cup?
Four England players have been sent off at the FIFA World Cup: Ray Wilkins (1986), David Beckham (1998), Wayne Rooney (2006) and Jarell Quansah (2026).
Which England player has received the most red cards?
David Beckham and Wayne Rooney jointly hold the England record with two international red cards each. No other England player has been sent off more than once.
Has England ever had two players sent off in the same match?
Yes. Harry Maguire and Reece James were both sent off during England's UEFA Nations League defeat against Denmark at Wembley in October 2020.
Which England goalkeeper has been sent off?
Robert Green is the only England goalkeeper to have been sent off in a full international, receiving a straight red card during a friendly against Denmark in 2010.
How many red cards has England received at the FIFA World Cup?
England have received four red cards at FIFA World Cup finals. They came in 1986, 1998, 2006 and 2026.
