FIFA confirms 10 key law changes for 2026 World Cup

Football’s lawmakers, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), have approved a sweeping set of rule changes for the 2026 FIFA World Cup aimed at reducing time-wasting, improving officiating accuracy, and speeding up match flow ahead of the expanded tournament across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

FIFA referees chief Pierluigi Collina confirmed that the new regulations will be implemented at the competition, which will be the first World Cup to feature 48 teams and the largest in the tournament’s history.

He said the reforms are designed to curb gamesmanship, limit delays, and address concerns about excessive stoppage time that dominated discussions during the 2022 World Cup.

The changes include stricter time controls, expanded Video Assistant Referee (VAR) powers, and new disciplinary measures targeting player conduct and tactical delays.

Under the new rules, referees will be empowered to enforce a visible five-second countdown for delayed throw-ins, with possession awarded to the opposition if the limit is exceeded.

A similar five-second countdown will apply to goal-kicks. Teams that deliberately waste time in such situations risk conceding a corner kick as punishment.

Substitutions will also be tightly regulated. Players leaving the field must exit within 10 seconds via the nearest touchline exit point. Failure to comply will delay the incoming substitute until the next stoppage after one minute of play.

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In addition, any player receiving on-field medical treatment must leave the pitch for at least 60 seconds once play resumes. Exceptions will apply to goalkeepers and specific injury cases deemed necessary by officials.

The 2026 tournament will also see an expansion of VAR authority in several critical match situations.

VAR officials will now be allowed to review second-yellow card decisions that result in a red card, particularly where the dismissal is deemed clearly incorrect. They will also be able to intervene in cases of mistaken identity, ensuring the correct player is sanctioned.

In another major update, competitions may permit VAR reviews of clearly incorrect corner-kick decisions, provided intervention is immediate and does not disrupt match flow.

VAR will also be permitted to assess attacking fouls committed before set-pieces such as corners or free-kicks if those incidents directly lead to goals, penalties, or significant disciplinary outcomes.

The new framework introduces stricter disciplinary action for player behaviour, including a red card sanction for players who deliberately cover their mouths during confrontations with opponents—part of enhanced anti-discrimination and misconduct measures.

In another move aimed at preventing tactical disruption, teams will no longer be allowed to conduct off-pitch tactical talks when a goalkeeper goes down injured, a common method previously used to pause match momentum.

Officials say the overall package of reforms is intended to make matches faster, fairer, and more transparent while reducing opportunities for time-wasting and manipulation of the game’s rhythm.

With the expanded 48-team format set to increase the number of matches significantly, FIFA says the changes are also designed to maintain consistency, improve decision-making accuracy, and ensure smoother match management throughout the tournament.