Commencing this month, the 2026 global football tournament will introduce updated regulations poised to transform the sport. These amendments to the rules of play, sanctioned by the International Football Association Board, are set to take effect starting with the World Cup and extend through the 2026-27 national league calendars globally.
These modifications were instituted with the goal of enhancing the speed of play, along with improving the overall experience for both participants and spectators. According to Pierluigi Collina, FIFA’s chief refereeing official, “Our objective is to refine the game to its utmost potential.”
Disqualification for Players Obscuring Mouths During Disputes
This stipulation draws its origins from a contentious incident in the Champions League, where Vinícius Júnior of Real Madrid claimed Gianluca Prestianni of Benfica had uttered a racially charged insult towards him. Prestianni’s mouth was obscured as he communicated with the Brazilian player, with Prestianni subsequently stating the remark was not racist but rather a homophobic slur.
Prestianni subsequently received a six-game prohibition, with the exclusion period encompassing the upcoming World Cup.
The act of concealing one’s mouth will not incur a penalty if players are engaged in ordinary dialogue.
Collina stated, “Should the discussion be amicable, there will be no issue with players continuing this practice.”
Time Limits Imposed for Throw-ins, Goal-kicks, and Player Exchanges
To counteract delays, officials will initiate a raised-hand five-second timer for all throw-ins and goal-kicks. Regarding throw-ins, if the ball is not reintroduced to play within five seconds, the opposing side will be granted a throw-in. Similarly, should a goal-kick not occur within five seconds, the opposing team will be awarded a corner kick.
Prior to the commencement of the 2025-26 season, an eight-second restriction was sanctioned for goalkeepers to relinquish possession of the ball while in play.
For player changes, individuals being replaced will be allotted 10 seconds to depart the playing area once the fourth official displays the substitution signal. Consistent with existing practice, players must leave the pitch at the nearest point to the boundary line. Failure to adhere to this timeframe will result in the team making the substitution playing with one fewer player until the initial pause in play after one minute has elapsed, at which point the incoming player may join the match.
Major League Soccer implemented this regulation during its 2024 campaign.
The sole exemptions relate to participant injuries or safety issues.
Participants requiring medical attention on the pitch will be obliged to leave the contest for sixty seconds subsequent to its resumption. Exclusive exceptions encompass goalkeeper ailments, impact incidents involving a goalkeeper and a field player or between colleagues necessitating medical aid, grave physical harm, or instances where the affected player was poised to execute a penalty kick.
Teams will additionally be prohibited from retreating from the playing area for tactical discussions while a goalkeeper is incapacitated and undergoing medical care.
(Perry McIntyre/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Mandatory Fluid and Tactical Pauses in All Fixtures
All contests during the 2026 global championship, encompassing those held within enclosed venues, will feature a brief refreshment period approximately 23 minutes into each half.
Each of these pauses is slated for a duration of three minutes, and should other coaches observe Mauricio Pochettino’s utilization of this time during the recent U.S. victory against Senegal, it will incorporate a brief tactical discussion, concurrently serving as an opportunity for broadcast companies to air additional commercials.
Enhanced Application of Video Assistant Referee
Initially, the Video Assistant Referee mechanism was established to scrutinize goals, possible red card infractions, and penalty decisions. Its scope of application is now undergoing enlargement.
The IFAB has sanctioned three additional scenarios for VAR intervention: unequivocally erroneous second yellow cards issued to players; misidentification in the application of yellow and red cards; and corner kicks awarded in error, though not for overturning goal kicks that ought to have been designated as corner kicks.
According to Collina, reversals for corner kicks will only occur if the determination is swift and does not impede the resumption of play.
Voluntary Departure from Pitch in Protest? Re-entry Not Expected
A further regulatory alteration, prompted by recent occurrences, stipulates that players who depart the playing area to contest a decision will be dismissed. Team personnel may also face a red card if they incite players to leave the field. Deserting a game will result in a forfeiture for the team involved.
This determination follows an incident where Senegal exited the field to dispute a penalty kick given to Morocco during injury time in January’s Africa Cup of Nations final. Ultimately, the “Lions of Teranga” resumed play after 16 minutes and secured a 1-0 victory following extra time. Nevertheless, the Central African Confederation subsequently reversed the outcome, converting it into a 3-0 forfeit win for Morocco. Senegal has since challenged this ruling.
