Barcelona midfield ace is a suspension risk for Spain’s Round of 32 game at the World Cup | OneFootball

Two rounds of games at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have come and gone, and it has been an excellent tournament so far.

Spain will play their final group game against Uruguay, and La Roja will be hoping to finish with three points and top their group ahead of the South Americans, Saudi Arabia, and Cape Verde.

Barcelona ace Pedri is facing a delicate situation, as he is one yellow card away from suspension. If he is booked in Guadalajara, he will miss Spain’s first knockout match in the round of 32, a game that could even place La Roja against Argentina, depending on the bracket.

According to SPORT, Pedri already carried the same risk against Saudi Arabia, but Luis de la Fuente reduced the danger by replacing him in the 70th minute, with Spain leading 4-0.

That was a sensible decision. Spain need Pedri, but Barcelona also need him protected. The 23-year-old has become too important for both club and country to be exposed unnecessarily in matches that are already under control.

His role makes the risk more complicated

Pedri looked much more comfortable against Saudi Arabia after a disappointing opener against Cape Verde. The key change was positional. He dropped deeper, operating closer to the base of midfield, a role he knows well from Hansi Flick’s Barcelona.

That position allows him to see the game in front of him, dictate the tempo, and connect play with calm. It is also where Spain get the most natural version of him.

The problem is that deeper midfield roles can bring defensive emergencies. Pedri’s only yellow card of the tournament came late against Cape Verde, when he pulled back an opponent to stop a promising attack.

The new World Cup format adds another layer. With 48 teams and a round of 32, accumulated bookings are wiped before the knockouts, then again after the quarter-finals.

So, if Pedri avoids a yellow against Uruguay, he starts the eliminators clean. The hope is simple: Pedri plays smart, Spain manage the game well, and De la Fuente avoids pushing him into needless risk.

Pedri is one of those players whose rhythm affects an entire team. Spain know it. Barcelona know it even better. A needless suspension now would be frustrating for La Roja, and they will hope it does not reach that point.