The FIFA World Cup 2026, set to kick off on June 11 across the United States, Canada and Mexico, will become the first major tournament to implement a series of new football laws approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB).
According to FIFA Chief Refereeing Officer Pierluigi Collina, the changes are aimed at tackling discrimination, reducing time-wasting, improving match flow and enhancing the overall experience for players, officials and fans.
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| Rule Change | What Changes? |
|---|---|
| VAR Protocol Expansion | VAR will have greater authority to review incidents, including mistaken identity, incorrect disciplinary decisions, wrongly awarded corner kicks and fouls committed before a restart. |
| Players Leaving the Field in Protest | Any player who leaves the pitch to protest a referee’s decision can be sent off. Teams that abandon matches in protest will forfeit the game. |
| Players Covering Their Mouths | Players who deliberately cover their mouths during confrontations to hide discriminatory or abusive remarks risk receiving a red card. |
| Throw-In Countdown | Referees will use a five-second countdown for throw-ins. Failure to restart play in time will result in possession being handed to the opposition. |
| Goal-Kick Countdown | Teams that delay taking a goal-kick beyond the countdown period will concede a corner kick to the opposing side. |
| Substitution Protocol | Players being substituted must leave the field within 10 seconds using the nearest exit point. Delays may prevent the replacement player from entering immediately. |
| Off-Field Treatment | Outfield players treated by medical staff on the pitch must remain off the field for at least one minute after play resumes, except in specific circumstances. |
| Hydration Breaks | A three-minute hydration break will be introduced midway through each half, with referees allowed flexibility depending on match conditions. |
| Goalkeeper Injury Rule | When a goalkeeper receives treatment on the pitch, players from both teams will not be allowed to gather with coaches for tactical instructions. |
The law changes will apply throughout the tournament and are expected to significantly influence how matches are officiated during football’s biggest event.
