The 2022 FIFA World Cup is in full swing at the moment in Qatar with some of the biggest European and South American footballing nations vying for the most glittering prize in football. Brazil is gunning for its record-extending sixth World Cup glory while Argentina are looking to win their third quadrennial tournament title. Then there are European giants like Portugal and the Netherlands, who are gunning to win their maiden World Cup trophy.
Most of the die-hard football followers are aware of the most successful teams in FIFA World Cup history. But what most fans are unaware of is which teams have received the most red cards in FIFA World Cup. Over the years, we have seen incidents like Zinedine Zidane's headbutt on Marco Materazzi and Luis Suarez's handball to save Uruguay, incidents that forced the referee to show the red card.
In this Sports Tak special, we take a look at the teams that have received the most red cards in FIFA World Cup history.
Netherlands
For some strange reason, the Netherlands have never been able to secure football's biggest prize despite entering as favourites to clinch the title. The Men in Orange have reached the final on three occasions but every time they fell short of crossing the final hurdle. When it comes to red cards, seven Netherlands players have been sent off in a FIFA World Cup game, which is the.
1978: Dick Nanninga vs West Germany
1990: Frank Rijkaard vs West Germany
1998: Patrick Kluivert vs Belgium
1998: Arthur Numan vs Argentina
2006: Khalid Boulahrouz vs Portugal
2006: Giovanni van Bronckhorst vs Portugal
2010: John Heitinga vs Spain
Germany
Germany is tied for the second most successful team in FIFA World Cup history. The European powerhouse has won four World Cup titles and is only one trophy away from Brazil's mark. Germany's latest World Cup triumph came in 2014 when they triumphed over Argentina in the final. When it comes to red cards, a total of eight German players have sent off in FIFA World Cup history, the latest of which came in 2018 in Russia.
1938: Hans Pesser vs Switzerland
1958: Erich Juskowiak vs Sweden
1986: Thomas Berthold vs Mexico
1990: Rudi Voller vs Netherlands
1998: Christian Worns vs Croatia
2002: Carsten Ramelow vs Cameroon
2010: Miroslav Klose vs Serbia
2018: Jerome Boateng vs Sweden
Italy
Italy are tied with Germany as both countries have won four FIFA World Cup titles. Italy's latest World Cup triumph came in 2006. Shockingly, the European giants failed to make it to Qatar and are watching the action from the comforts of their homes. When it comes to red cards, Italy are tied with Germany in this category as well. A total of eight Italian players have been sent off in FIFA World Cup history.
1962: Giorgio Ferrini vs Chile
1962: Mario David vs Chile
1994: Gianluca Pagliuca vs Norway
1994: Gianfranco Zola vs Nigeria
2002: Francesco Totti vs South Korea
2006: Daniele De Rossi vs USA
2006: Marco Materazzi vs Australia
2014: Claudio Marchisio vs Uruguay
Argentina
Two-time champions Argentina have produced some of the greatest footballers of all time, with Diego Maradona being the greatest of all. Apart from their sublime skills on the pitch, the Argentinean players are also known for their dirty tactics. This is exactly the reason why Argentina have seen 10 players sent off in FIFA World Cup history.
1966: Rafael Albrecht vs West Germany
1966: Antonio Rattín vs England
1982: Americo Gallego vs Italy
1982: Diego Maradona vs Brazil
1990: Ricardo Giusti vs Italy
1990: Pedro Monzon vs West Germany
1990: Gustavo Dezotti vs West Germany
1998: Ariel Ortega vs Netherlands
2002: Claudio Caniggia (substitute bench) vs Sweden
2006: Leandro Cufre (substitute bench) vs Germany
Brazil
The most successful team in FIFA World Cup history, Brazil also happens to be the most dirtiest team in the quadrennial tournament, at least on the basis of red cards. A total of 11 Brazilian players have been sent off in FIFA World Cup history.
1938: Zeze Procopio vs Czechoslovakia
1938: Machado vs Czechoslovakia
1954: Nílton Santos vs Hungary
1954: Humberto vs Hungary
1962: Garrincha vs Chile
1974: Luis Pereira vs Netherlands
1990: Ricardo Gomes vs Argentina
1994: Leonardo Araujo vs USA
2002: Ronaldinho vs England
2010: Kaká vs Ivory Coast
2010: Felipe Melo vs Netherlands
