Football’s law-making body, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), has approved a major set of rule changes that will come into force at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking one of the most significant updates to the Laws of the Game in recent years.
According to FIFA, the tournament—hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico—will be the first major competition to implement the new regulations.
A key focus of the reforms is reducing time-wasting. Referees will now use a visible five-second countdown for throw-ins and goal kicks, with strict consequences: failure to take a throw-in results in possession being awarded to the opposition, while delays on goal kicks will lead to a corner kick for opponents.
A new substitution rule also introduces tighter time controls. Players being substituted must leave the pitch within 10 seconds via the nearest boundary line. If they fail to do so, the incoming substitute cannot enter until the next stoppage, with the team required to continue with 10 players temporarily.
Injury management has also been tightened. Any outfield player receiving treatment must leave the field for at least one minute after play resumes, with exceptions for goalkeepers, head injuries, serious injuries, and specific collision or penalty situations.
Video Assistant Referee (VAR) powers have been expanded to include review of clearly incorrect second yellow cards, mistaken identity cases, wrongly awarded corners, and fouls occurring before set-piece restarts.
The new rules also introduce stricter disciplinary measures, including red cards for players who cover their mouths during confrontations, a measure aimed at preventing discriminatory abuse, as well as sanctions for walk-off protests or teams abandoning matches.
Referees may also wear body cameras in some competitions, with organisers controlling the footage.
Additional updates include clarified rules on dropped-ball restarts, accidental double touches during penalties, and changes to the DOGSO rule, meaning no caution will be issued if a goal is scored after an advantage is played.
For international friendlies, teams will now be allowed up to eight substitutions, with the option to agree on as many as 11.
Hydration breaks lasting three minutes may also be introduced during World Cup matches, typically around the 22nd minute of each half, depending on conditions.
Goalkeeper time-wasting rules have also been reinforced, limiting ball control to eight seconds, with referees counting down the final five seconds before awarding a corner kick for violations.
The changes collectively signal a stronger push by IFAB to speed up play, improve fairness, and reduce disruptive behaviour ahead of football’s biggest tournament.