Football Innovation: New VAR rules to be introduced at 2026 World Cup

VAR (Video Assistant Referee) will now be able to review second yellow cards and corner decisions at the World Cup, following a recent meeting of football’s lawmakers on Saturday.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) also approved new rules to reduce time-wasting during games.

Currently, VAR can only review straight red cards, not two yellow cards. IFAB says wrongly awarded corners can be changed only if the review is done immediately without delaying the game.

New countdown rules will be introduced for goal-kicks, throw-ins, and substitutions:

If a player takes too long, the other team gets possession. For example, a slow goal-kick could turn into a corner.

Substitutes must enter the field within 10 seconds after their number is shown. If not, they must wait until the next stoppage, at least one minute later.

Players receiving treatment for injuries must stay off the field for one minute before returning.

These changes, agreed in Cardiff, will officially take effect on July 1 but will be used at the World Cup starting June 11.

IFAB will also look at rules for players leaving the field in protest or covering their mouths when talking to opponents.

This follows incidents like the Africa Cup of Nations final, delayed by a Senegal walk-off after Morocco received a late penalty, and a Champions League case where Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior said he faced racial abuse from Gianluca Prestianni. Prestianni was suspended for one match while UEFA investigates.