There will be some rules changes to keep across ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
So much has been made about the application of rules in soccer over the last few years.
What should theoretically be quite a simple game has been complicated by the advent of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
That significant step in how the sport is officiated has created tiresome discourse about almost every decision, ranging from handballs, offsides and fouls.
Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) have announced that there are more rules to consider, so here’s a look at them.
Anti-time wasting measures to be introduced
In order to crack down on the time-wasting supporters have seen this season, referees will now use a five-second countdown for throw-ins and goal kicks.
Should a player not take their throw-in within those five seconds, the ball will be given to the opposition.
In the event that a goal-kick is delayed after the countdown expires, the opposing team will be given a corner.
This also expands to players coming off the field after being substituted. They will have 10 seconds to leave the field of play after the substitution board has been shown. They will have to leave using the nearest point of the boundary line.
If that player fails to leave the field in that time limit, the player replacing them will only be allowed to enter the fray at the first stoppage one minute after the restart.
Tactical timeouts will be stopped
FIFA, soccer’s governing body, have moved to address the issue of teams often using injuries to manufacture a situation where they can hold team talks mid-game.
Referees will have no additional power here but chief refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina has confirmed that officials will be proactively trying to stop that from happening.
VAR to be given more power
The introduction of VAR has been controversial to say the least but the technology’s remit has been widened ahead of this summer’s tournament.
VAR will be able to intervene for wrongly-awarded second yellow cards, incorrectly-awarded corners and cases of mistaken identity.
Referees will be allowed to intervene if a foul is committed before the ball is in play from a set-piece situation.
There are caveats, however. Indeed, VAR intervention on corners can only be used to correct clear and obvious errors and cannot delay the restarting of the game.
Players to receive red card when covering their mouths during a confrontation
Another new rule could see players who cover their mouths when speaking to opponents handed a red card.
That, however, will be at the discretion of the referee on the field.
Additionally, players who leave the pitch in protest of a referee’s decision could also face a red card.
Read more:
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Every team that’s qualified for FIFA World Cup 2026 ahead of biggest tournament in history
Why the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony won’t be held in the US
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