Wed, June 03, 2026
IFAB introduces rule changes ahead of the 2026 World Cup
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has introduced landmark rule changes which will be implemented from the 2026-27 season onwards as well as at the FIFA World Cup 2026 which commences on June 11 in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Chairman of the FIFA referees committee, Pierluigi Collina, stated: “We are trying to clean the game as much as possible.” The World Cup will have 170 officials, and they will be participating in a final preparatory seminar this week. All 48 national team coaches have received guidance through a workshop.
To begin with, players who cover their mouths during confrontation (not during normal conversations) could receive a red card, which will try to tackle players making discriminatory comments. Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, for example, alleged that Benfica player, Gianluca Prestianni, made a racist remark to him whilst covering his mouth with his shirt. Prestianni received a six-game suspension, although he claimed he had used a homophobic slur instead.
Referees can show the red card to any player who leaves the pitch in protest over an official’s decision or to a team official encouraging players to leave. If a team causes a match to be abandoned, they will forfeit. This comes in the wake of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final on 18 January 2026 between Morocco and Senegal. During the match, Senegal left the pitch to protest a penalty awarded against them following a VAR review but then returned to win the match 1-0 during extra time. However, this was overturned in March, making Morocco the winners - unless Senegal’s appeal is successful.
Additionally, VAR can now be used in three new situations:
- To help make formal decisions concerning “clearly incorrect” second yellow cards, as phrased by The Athletic
- To assist with judgments concerning mistaken identity on yellow and red cards
- To assist with making judgements on corner kicks that were incorrectly awarded - but this does not mean that it can reverse a goal kick that should have been a corner, for example.
However, this is slightly controversial because VAR generally tries not to stop play unnecessarily. Once play has restarted, certain decisions may no longer be changeable. Therefore, players may restart quickly to prevent officials from having time to review whether the original decision was wrong.
Furthermore, at the start of the season, an eight second release rule was introduced for goalkeepers. Goal keepers must release the ball in this time or risk conceding a corner. This will now be applicable to goal kicks and throw ins. If the throw in takes too long, for example, it will be given to the opposition from the same spot.
Collina elaborated: “a player might come from far for a long throw into the penalty area. A bit more time can be given if the team needs this player to get the ball.”
Furthermore, substituted players will have 10 seconds to leave the pitch. If it takes any longer than this, the oncoming player will only be allowed on the pitch at the first stoppage after a minute of play has passed. Naturally, this does not apply to injured players.
Additionally, if a player requires medical attention on the pitch, the player cannot stay on the pitch when the game restarts. They must leave the pitch for one minute before being allowed to rejoin, so the match can restart without them. This does not include certain goalkeeper injuries, such as if a goalkeeper and outfielder have collided, or if players from the same team have collided and need medical attention. This also does not apply to head injuries or concussions, or if a player is injured following a yellow or red card violation, or if a penalty has been awarded and the injured player is the one taking it.
For the World Cup specifically, VAR will be allowed to intervene if the attacking team commits a clear offence before a corner kick or free kick is taken, and that offence directly leads to a goal, penalty, or disciplinary sanction. If VAR determines that an offence occurred before the ball was in play, disciplinary action will be taken, and the corner kick or free kick will be retaken.
Also, for the World Cup, a 3-minute cooling break will be given, 22 minutes into each half. There’s also updated guidance concerning handballs, but Collina stated that there is no “100 per cent answer” as referees interpret scenarios differently.
