I checked the numbers, and the strange thing is that they partly contradict the eye test. FIFA counted 22.3 fouls and only 2.5 yellow cards per group-stage match, and one historical comparison calls the 2026 card rate a record low. That might mean the tournament was cleaner, but it might also mean referees allowed more contact without punishing it. The final is the strongest evidence for what you mean: Spain against Argentina had 46 fouls, 25 by Argentina, followed by a fight after the whistle, and FIFA later charged players with striking opponents. So perhaps it was not more violent in every match. Rather, some major matches were allowed to cross from physical play into actual aggression without enough early control. FIFA group-stage figures: https://rusecure.fifa.com/organisation/news/records-world-cup-2026-group-stage-sets-new-benchmark Historical card comparison: https://rg.org/en-ca/research/sports-data-analysis/yellow-cards-record-low-2026-world-cup Final disciplinary charges: https://apnews.com/article/af808493185c89e5a97062b0621257e0
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