Which football rule changes will be implemented during the World Cup?

Red cards for covering mouths, corner kicks for time wasting and broadened use of VAR technology will be implemented.

A new set of laws will come into play during the World Cup, the international self-regulatory body for football has announced, weeks before the tournament starts on June 11.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) revealed on Sunday a number of changes to the laws of the game that will be applied from the 2026-2027 season onwards as well as at the World Cup.

“The IFAB approved a set of landmark changes to the Laws of the Game, and the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the first major tournament to use them,” FIFA Chief Refereeing Officer Pierluigi Collina told reporters.

“These amendments aim to tackle discrimination, cut time-wasting, enhance match tempo and improve both the player and fan experience.”

Players who cover their mouths with their hands, arms or shirts in confrontational situations will receive a red card. However, players who cover their mouths while having friendly conversations with club teammates on opposing national teams, for example, will not be punished.

The new rule comes into effect after Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni was accused of making discriminatory slurs against Vinicius Jr with his mouth covered. Prestianni was given a six-game suspension by UEFA, and his ban was extended worldwide.

Players who leave the field of play to protest against a referee’s decision will be shown a red card. The rule will also apply to any team official who incites players to leave the field of play in protest.

Teams that cause a match to be abandoned will now forfeit the match.

The rule change was made after Senegal stormed off the field in protest at a penalty awarded against them in the Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco.

Referees will start a visual five-second countdown with a raised hand. For throw-ins, if the ball is not in play at the end of the countdown, a throw-in will be awarded to the opponents. If a goal kick is not taken at the end of the countdown, a corner kick will be awarded to the opponents.

Players have 10 seconds to leave the field when the substitution board has been shown. They must leave the field at the nearest point on the boundary line.

If the player being substituted does not leave the field of play within 10 seconds, the substitute may enter only at the first stoppage after one minute has elapsed after the restart and the referee gives them the signal.

Exceptions will be made for player injuries and concerns related to safety and security.

An outfield player must leave the fi