2026 World Cup: FIFA approves sweeping new football rules

Football’s law-making body, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), has approved a series of significant rule changes that will take effect at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The new measures are aimed at improving discipline, reducing time-wasting and enhancing the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology.

Among the key changes, VAR will now be permitted to intervene in cases involving wrongly-awarded second yellow cards, mistaken identity incidents and incorrectly-awarded corner kicks. Referees will also be able to review offences committed before set-pieces are taken, including incidents such as attackers obstructing defenders before corners.

IFAB has also introduced stricter conduct regulations. Players who cover their mouths with their hands, arms or shirts during confrontations will now face a straight red card.

The same punishment will apply to players who walk off the pitch in protest against refereeing decisions. Teams responsible for causing matches to be abandoned will automatically forfeit the game, while officials encouraging such actions will also face sanctions.

To combat time-wasting, referees will use a visible five-second countdown for throw-ins and goal-kicks.

Failure to restart play within the allotted time will result in possession being awarded to the opposition for throw-ins, while delayed goal-kicks will lead to the opposing team being awarded a corner kick.

Substitution procedures have also been tightened. Players leaving the field after being substituted will have only 10 seconds to exit via the nearest boundary line.

If they fail to do so, their replacement will not be allowed onto the pitch until the next stoppage after one minute has elapsed.

New medical protocols have equally been approved. Outfield players receiving treatment on the pitch will be required to remain off the field for at least one minute after play resumes, except in cases involving goalkeepers, head injuries, concussions, serious collisions or penalty situations.

In addition, FIFA will introduce mandatory three-minute hydration breaks in each half of every World Cup match, with referees given discretion over the timing of the stoppages depending on match conditions and the flow of play.

FIFA’s chief refereeing officer, Pierluigi Collina, also warned teams against using injury stoppages as tactical timeouts, insisting referees would take a proactive approach to prevent players from leaving the field in groups to receive instructions from coaches.

The changes represent one of the most extensive updates to football regulations in recent years as FIFA seeks to improve fairness, discipline and the overall flow of matches on the global stage.