As anticipation builds for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, football’s governing bodies have unveiled a series of significant rule changes aimed at improving the flow of matches, enhancing fairness, and reducing time-wasting.
The tournament, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will serve as the first major international competition to fully implement these new regulations. The updated laws are expected to have a noticeable impact on how teams approach games, with stricter measures on substitutions, player conduct, and delays in restarting
FIFA believes the changes will create a faster, more entertaining spectacle for fans while providing referees with additional tools to make accurate decisions. As the countdown to the World Cup continues, players, coaches, and supporters alike will be eager to see how these new rules shape the world’s biggest football tournament.
What are the new laws ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
(1) 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘄-𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 (𝗳𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘀):
If a player deliberately delays the restart of play, the throw can be given to the opposition.
(2) 𝗚𝗼𝗮𝗹-𝗸𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 (𝗳𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘀): Also applies to deliberate attempts to run down the clock and can result in a corner being awarded.
(3) T𝗶𝗺𝗲-𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 (𝟭𝟬 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘀): Substituted players have 10 seconds to leave the field at the nearest point. If they fail to do so, the substitute cannot enter the field for at least one minute and the team must continue with 10 players.
(4) 𝗢𝗳𝗳-𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 (𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲): Players who are treated by the physio must stay off the field for 60 seconds. There are some exceptions, including for goalkeepers, injuries and if the opponent is booked or sent off.
(5) 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵𝘀: Any player covering their mouth in a confrontational situation with an opponent may be sanctioned with a red card.
(6) 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗱: Players sent off for two cautions can have the second booking checked – but there will be no reviews for potential second yellows.
(7) 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗱: If VAR can make sure that a corner has been correctly awarded, but this must be done quickly and before the restart. Does not apply to wrongly awarded goal-kicks.