Football’s lawmakers, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), have given the green light to a series of significant rule changes set to debut at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which kicks off in Mexico City on June 11. The approved amendments aim to tackle time-wasting, enhance disciplinary actions, and notably expand the scope of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) interventions.

Expanded VAR protocol and interventions

A key focus of the new regulations is a broader application of VAR, particularly concerning incidents before the ball is in play. According to an IFAB statement, cited by the Mirror, the protocol has been clarified for “clear offences committed by the attacking team before the ball is in play at a corner kick or free kick that have a direct impact on a goal, penalty kick, or disciplinary sanction.” This means VAR can now recommend an on-field review for fouls like penalty box grappling before corners and free-kicks, potentially leading to disciplinary action and a retake of the set-piece.

Beyond pre-set-piece fouls, VAR’s influence will extend to other critical areas:

• Intervention on second yellow cards.

• Reviewing cases of mistaken identity for both yellow and red cards.

• Correcting wrongly awarded corner kicks.

Cracking down on time-wasting and dissent

In a concerted effort to combat time-wasting, IFAB has introduced several countdowns and strict protocols for players. Throw-ins and goal-kicks will now be subject to a five-second countdown. Failure to take a throw-in within this timeframe will result in possession being awarded to the opponent, while a goal-kick violation will concede a corner.

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Substituted players must exit the field within 10 seconds, unless an injury or safety concern prevents them. If this rule is breached, the incoming substitute will be barred from entering the pitch until the referee grants permission during the next break in play. Similarly, players who leave the field for treatment cannot re-enter for one minute, a measure specifically designed to curb time-wasting. Exceptions apply for goalkeepers with concussions or if the injured player is the designated penalty taker for an awarded spot-kick.

Disciplinary actions for player conduct have also been tightened. Any player covering their mouth while speaking aggressively to an opponent will face a red card. Furthermore, players or coaches who leave the field of play in protest at a referee’s decision will be shown an automatic red card, a rule that follows high-profile incidents such as those seen at the African Cup of Nations final.

Mandatory hydration breaks

Adding to the list of changes, a three-minute hydration break will be implemented at the midway point of each half in every match throughout the tournament. This aims to ensure player welfare, especially given the varying climate conditions expected across the World Cup venues.

As reported by the Mirror, these comprehensive changes reflect a push from IFAB to refine the game’s flow, fairness, and overall spectacle ahead of football’s showpiece event.

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Sources: www.mirror.co.uk

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