Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi is cleared to play in Argentina's opening match of the World Cup against Algeria after FIFA's Bureau of the Council decided to amend one of the tournament's regulations.
Otamendi was sent off in Argentina's final match of World Cup qualification, a 1-0 loss to Ecuador in Guayaquil. That previously would have meant he be suspended for the next official match. Now, however, FIFA will clear the slate between World Cup qualification and the finals of the tournament as long as a red card wasn't earned for a more serious offense.
“Single yellow cards and pending one- or two-match suspensions as a consequence of cautions in different matches in the preliminary competition, an indirect red card, or a direct red card for denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goalscoring opportunity or for serious foul play are not carried over to the final competition," the new regulation now reads. "Any other pending match suspensions imposed as a result of a red card in matches in the preliminary competition are carried over to the final competition.”
Ecuador also had a player sent off in that match and will recoup star attacker Moises Caicedo for its World Cup opener against Ivory Coast in Philadelphia.
With World Cup qualifying now complete, national teams around the globe are turning their attention toward soccer’s biggest tournament.
These are 12 incredible players to watch as they represent their countries on the World Cup stage.
Above, Sweden’s Alexander Isak plays for his national team. The forward is set to be one of the key figures for Sweden at the World Cup as he continues his role leading the attack for club and country.
Sweden’s forward Viktor Gyokeres, right.
Arda Guler of Turkey, right.
Hakan Calhanoglu of Turkey
Turkey’s forward Kenan Yildiz
Patrik Schick of Czechia, top.
Czechia’s midfielder Tomas Soucek.
Bosnia-Herzegovina’s forward Edin Dzeko, left.
Ermedin Demirovic of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Iraq’s forward Ayman Hussein, left.
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12 incredible soccer stars you need to follow in the World Cup
With World Cup qualifying now complete, national teams around the globe are turning their attention toward soccer’s biggest tournament.
These are 12 incredible players to watch as they represent their countries on the World Cup stage.
Above, Sweden’s Alexander Isak plays for his national team. The forward is set to be one of the key figures for Sweden at the World Cup as he continues his role leading the attack for club and country.
1 / 10
12 incredible soccer stars you need to follow in the World Cup
With World Cup qualifying now complete, national teams around the globe are turning their attention toward soccer’s biggest tournament.
These are 12 incredible players to watch as they represent their countries on the World Cup stage.
Above, Sweden’s Alexander Isak plays for his national team. The forward is set to be one of the key figures for Sweden at the World Cup as he continues his role leading the attack for club and country.
2 / 10
12 incredible soccer stars you need to follow in the World Cup
Sweden’s forward Viktor Gyokeres, right.
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12 incredible soccer stars you need to follow in the World Cup
Arda Guler of Turkey, right.
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12 incredible soccer stars you need to follow in the World Cup
Hakan Calhanoglu of Turkey
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12 incredible soccer stars you need to follow in the World Cup
Turkey’s forward Kenan Yildiz
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12 incredible soccer stars you need to follow in the World Cup
Patrik Schick of Czechia, top.
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12 incredible soccer stars you need to follow in the World Cup
Czechia’s midfielder Tomas Soucek.
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12 incredible soccer stars you need to follow in the World Cup
Bosnia-Herzegovina’s forward Edin Dzeko, left.
9 / 10
12 incredible soccer stars you need to follow in the World Cup
Ermedin Demirovic of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
10 / 10
12 incredible soccer stars you need to follow in the World Cup
Iraq’s forward Ayman Hussein, left.
This ruling comes months after FIFA clarified that Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo would serve the final two matches of a three-game suspension he picked up in a World Cup qualifier against Ireland only after a one-year probation period.
The decision was made after the governing body for soccer in Argentina, the Asociación del Fútbol Argentino, lobbied FIFA for a modification. It is in line with changes announced earlier this month to World Cup disciplinary rules with yellow cards wiped after the group stage and again after the quarterfinal stage.
The veteran defender Otamendi was key for Argentina in its run to the 2022 World Cup title, playing every minute of the tournament. The presence of the 38-year-old will be a welcome one in the opening game with fellow center back Cristian 'Cuti' Romero in a race against time to get fit for the tournament after suffering an MCL tear with Tottenham Hotspur in April.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Argentina's Nicolas Otamendi cleared for World Cup after rule change
