FULL LIST: FIFA new rules ahead of 2026 World Cup

Ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, football’s law-making body, the International Football Association Board, has approved the biggest package of rule changes in several years. The tournament will be the first major competition to use them. According to a post obtained from FIFA’s website on Tuesday, these are the new rules to be deployed in the forthcoming global showpiece scheduled to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico 1. Throw-in and Goal-Kick Countdown To combat time-wasting: * Referees will begin a visible 5-second countdown. * If a throw-in is not taken in time, possession goes to the opposing team. * If a goal kick is delayed, the opponents receive a corner kick. 2. 10-Second Substitution Rule When a substitution is made: * The player leaving must exit within 10 seconds. * They must use the nearest boundary line. * If they delay, the replacement cannot enter until the next stoppage after one minute of play has elapsed. 3. Injured Players Must Stay Off for One Minute If play is stopped for treatment: * The injured outfield player must leave the field. * They cannot return until one minute after play restarts. Exceptions include: * Goalkeeper injuries * Serious injuries * Head injuries/concussions * Goalkeeper-player collisions * Certain penalty situations. 4. Expanded VAR Powers VAR can now intervene in additional situations: Incorrect Second Yellow Card VAR may review a clearly incorrect second yellow that results in a red card. Mistaken Identity If the wrong player receives a yellow or red card. Wrongly Awarded Corner Kick VAR may correct a clearly incorrect corner-kick decision if the review is immediate. Fouls Before Set-Piece Restarts VAR may intervene if a foul occurred before the ball was put back into play. 5. Red Cards for Mouth-Covering Confrontations A player who covers their mouth with a hand, arm, or shirt while confronting an opponent may receive a red card. The measure was introduced to discourage discriminatory abuse and improve transparency. Related News Full squads of African countries at 2026 World Cup 2026 World Cup: FIFA releases full squads, confirms 1,248 players, 891 debutants Japan defeat Iceland 1-0 in friendly after new FIFA substitution rule 6. Red Cards for Walk-Off Protests Players who leave the field to protest a referee’s decision can be sent off. Teams abandoning matches in protest may forfeit the game. Team officials who encourage such actions can also be sanctioned. 7. Referee Body Cameras Competitions may allow referees to wear chest-mounted or head-mounted cameras. The competition organizer controls t