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NEED TO KNOW
- FIFA has introduced new rules to enhance fairness and improve the player and fan experience at the 2026 World Cup
- The tournament will feature 48 teams competing across the United States, Canada and Mexico starting June 11
- The rule changes aim to address issues like discrimination, time-wasting and player safety during matches
Listen up!
Since the World Cup in Qatar four years ago, FIFA has used the intervening years to prepare for the 2026 tournament in North America, including the introduction of new rules that will take effect during matches.
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) announced in the lead-up to the quadrennial soccer tournament that changes to the laws of the game had been made. They will be implemented in the 2026-27 season, in addition to the 2026 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’s Chief Refereeing Officer, Pierluigi Collina, told reporters on May 31, per Reuters.
“These amendments aim to tackle discrimination, cut time-wasting, enhance match tempo and improve both the player and fan experience,” he added.
The World Cup kicks off on Thursday, June 11, and will feature 48 different national teams from across the globe competing in the highly anticipated tournament. Matches will be played across three countries: the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Now, read on for a breakdown of the newly introduced rules players must follow at the 2026 World Cup!
Players must not cover their mouths during confrontations
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A player will be given a red card, meaning they will be tossed from the game, if they cover their mouth with their hand, arm or shirt during a confrontational situation. If a player’s mouth is covered during a friendly exchange with club teammates on opposing teams, for example, they will not be punished.
The rule comes after Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni was accused of making discriminatory slurs to Vinicius Jr. with his mouth covered. UEFA gave Prestianni a six-game suspension, with his ban extended worldwide.
Players must abide by the throw-ins and goal kicks clock
A time limit has been introduced for throw-ins and goal kicks, so players must now abide by a five-second countdown. Referees will raise their hand to start the visual five-second countdown, and if the ball is not in play when time runs out, a throw-in is awarded to the opponents.
Further, a corner kick will be given to the opposing team if a goal kick is not taken at the end of the countdown.
Players will be penalized for protest
A player will be given a red card if exiting the field of play in protest over a referee’s decision. The rule will also apply to any team official who incites players to leave the field of play in protest.
The law is being introduced after Senegal exited the pitch in protest at a penalty awarded against them in the Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco earlier this year.
Players must exit the field after treatment periods
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An outfield player must leave the field of play for one minute after being treated by medical staff who enter the field. The rule was introduced to discourage players from going down with minor injuries to waste time or disrupt the opponent’s momentum.
Exceptions apply for goalkeeper injuries, collisions involving a goalkeeper, teammate collisions requiring treatment, serious injuries such as head injuries or concussions, and instances where the injured player is designated to take a penalty kick.
VAR can review pre-restart fouls
Video assistant referees (VAR) are now allowed to intervene if an evident foul committed by the attacking team before the ball is in play leads to a direct impact on a goal, penalty kick or disciplinary sanction.
“The IFAB has approved a clarification to the video assistant referee protocol for use at the 2026 FIFA World Cup regarding clear offenses committed by the attacking team before the ball is in play at a corner kick or free kick that have a direct impact on a goal, penalty kick or disciplinary sanction,” the IFAB said in a statement.
“If the offence meets the criteria set out in the clarification, VAR will recommend an on-field review, following which, if the referee determines that an offence occurred before the ball was in play, the appropriate disciplinary action will be taken and the corner kick or free kick will be retaken,” it adds.
Players are granted allotted time to take hydration breaks
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Three-minute hydration breaks are being implemented into matches, taking place near the halfway mark around the 22nd minute. The hydration breaks will happen in each half of every game around the same minute mark.
However, referees have been given flexibility regarding when a break will be called. For example, if a player is injured and needs to be treated around the 20th minute, the official can signal the hydration break at that time.
Players are not allowed to leave the field if the goalkeeper is receiving treatment
Players from both teams must stay on the pitch if an injured goalkeeper is being treated on the pitch. That means, the players can’t leave the field of play to have a “timeout” with their respective coaches.
Read the original article on People