The International Football Association Board (IFAB) on Saturday approved a package of measures aimed at speeding up the pace of matches and combating wasted time. The changes will come into effect during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The changes were agreed at IFAB’s 140th Annual General Meeting in Hensol, Wales.
The extension of the countdown principle to throw-ins and goal kicks is one of the most important new rules.
If the referee believes that a throw-in or goal kick is taking too long or has been deliberately delayed, the referee may start a five-second visual countdown. If play does not resume before the countdown has expired, possession of the ball is transferred to the opponent: throw-ins are awarded in the other direction and delayed goal kicks are punished with a corner kick.
TEARING IT OFF
– International Football Association Board introduces countdowns for throw-ins and goal kicks to avoid delays.
– Substituted players have 10 seconds to leave the field, otherwise the replacement must wait.
– VAR protocol expanded to include mistaken identity and incorrect second yellow cards
The measure expanded last year’s rule intended to discourage goalkeepers from excessively holding the ball.
Players being substituted have 10 seconds to leave the field as soon as the sign is shown or the referee signals the substitution.
If he fails to do so, the substituted player must wait until the next interruption after one minute of play has elapsed, although the substituted player must still leave immediately.
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Players undergoing an on-field injury assessment or whose injury causes play to be stopped must leave the field as soon as play resumes and remain free for one minute. The policy is intended to discourage tactical delays due to injuries.
The General Assembly has signed three changes to the VAR (Video Assistant Referee) protocol. If there is clear evidence, VARs may now intervene in three additional situations: red cards following an incorrect second yellow card, cases of mistaken identity and corners that have clearly been wrongly awarded.
The next edition of the Laws, which comes into effect on July 1, will stipulate that non-dangerous objects can be carried if they are safely covered, and that referees can wear cameras on the chest or on the head wsx4.
There was also clarification on dropped balls, where possession was given to the team that would have kept the ball if play had not been stopped, and accidental double touches during penalty kicks.
The IFAB also agreed to discuss players leaving the field as an act of protest against a referee’s decision or against team officials instigating such an action, and players covering their mouths when facing opponents during matches.
Published on February 28, 2026
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