01.06.2026 15:41
FIFA has announced new rules that will fundamentally impact football ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The aim is to make football faster and more fluid with time limits on substitutions, time restrictions on throw-ins and goal kicks, expanded VAR powers, heavy penalties for protests, and new regulations for injured players. The first implementation was seen in the Japan-Iceland match, where a delayed substitution allowed Iceland to give their opponent a goal-scoring opportunity.
FIFA has announced new rules ahead of the 2026 World Cup that will speed up the flow of the game and expand referees' authority. Some practices are already being implemented on the field.
FIRST RULE APPLIED ON THE FIELD
The new substitution rule to be applied at the 2026 World Cup was first brought up during the match between Japan and Iceland.
According to the new regulation, a player leaving the field must exit within 10 seconds. If the time is exceeded, the incoming player will be delayed by 1 minute, and the team will play with 10 players during that period.
When Icelandic player Hlynsson's exit exceeded 10 seconds, his replacement Thorvaldsson was delayed by 1 minute. Japan managed to score during this time.
TIME LIMIT FOR THROW-INS
FIFA's new practices also include throw-ins. If a player fails to take a throw-in within 5 seconds after the referee's warning, the ball will be directly awarded to the opposing team. This aims to prevent time-wasting attempts.
SURPRISING DECISION ON GOAL KICKS
One of the most notable new rules concerns goal kicks. If the goalkeeper or a player does not take a goal kick within 5 seconds, the referee may award a corner kick to the opposing team. This practice is intended to reduce time-wasting, especially in the final stages of matches.
RED CARD FOR PLAYER COVERING MOUTH
FIFA has also taken strict disciplinary measures. According to the new regulation, if a player covers their mouth with their hand, arm, or jersey while speaking during an argument with an opponent, the referee may show a direct red card. This decision is said to be implemented to prevent covert insults and unsportsmanlike behavior.
RED CARD FOR PROTESTING
Players who leave the field to protest referee decisions will face severe penalties. In such cases, players may receive a red card, and if the team abandons the match, a forfeit loss may be declared.
INJURED PLAYER CANNOT RETURN IMMEDIATELY
One of the new practices relates to medical interventions. A player receiving treatment on the field will have to wait at least 1 minute off the field before returning to play. FIFA aims to prevent injuries from being used for time-wasting with this decision.
VAR'S AUTHORITY EXPANDS
The Video Assistant Referee system will also be able to intervene in more situations in the new era.
VAR can now intervene in:
- Red cards resulting from an incorrect second yellow card,
- Cards being shown to the wrong player,
- Incorrect corner kick decisions.
- However, decisions cannot be reversed after the corner kick is taken.
WATER BREAKS WILL CONTINUE
Water breaks will also be implemented at the 2026 World Cup due to hot weather conditions. Players will generally be allowed to take short water breaks around the 22nd minute of each half.