Law changes to be implemented for the World Cup

[silent majority]

I'll just copy what I've seen elsewhere, but the World Cup in America could be interesting!

The IFAB introduces further measures to improve match flow and player behaviour

    Landmark changes to reduce tempo disruption


Second yellow cards to be reviewed under video assistant referee (VAR) protocol


Tougher measures to address discriminatory behaviour to be developed in advance of the FIFA World Cup 2026™

Throw-ins and goal kicks
Building on last year’s widely welcomed change in the Laws to prevent goalkeepers from holding the ball for too long, the AGM confirmed the extension of the countdown principle to throw-ins and goal kicks.


If the referee considers that a throw-in or goal kick is taking too long or is being deliberately delayed, a five-second visual countdown will be initiated. If the ball is not in play at the end of the countdown, the throw-in will be awarded to the opposing team; a delayed goal kick will result in a corner kick to the opposing team.


Time-limited substitutions
To further streamline match flow, substituted players must leave the field of play within 10 seconds of the substitution board being displayed or, where no board is used, upon the referee’s signal. Should the player fail to leave within this time, they must still exit the field; however, the substitute will not be permitted to enter until the first stoppage after one minute of play (running clock) has elapsed.


Off-field treatment and assessment
Where a player receives on-field assessment for an injury, or their injury causes play to be stopped, the player will be required to leave the field of play and remain off for one minute once play (running clock) has restarted.

Video assistant referee (VAR) system protocol developments
With regard to the VAR system protocol, the AGM approved three adjustments. Where there is clear evidence, the VAR will now be permitted to check and review:


-   red cards arising from a clearly incorrect second yellow card;
-   mistaken identity, when the referee penalises the wrong team for an offence resulting in a red or yellow card being shown to the wrong player; and
-   competitions may allow VARs to review a clearly incorrectly awarded corner kick, provided that the review can be completed immediately and without delaying the restart.

The IFAB also agreed that trials be conducted to further assess goalkeeper tactical injury delays and to propose options to deter this behaviour.

Laws of the Game 2026/27
Additionally, the next edition of the Laws of the Game, effective from 1 July 2026 (with competitions starting before that date being able to implement the changes earlier), will feature the following amendments:


-   Law 3 (The Players): The number of permitted substitutes in senior ‘A’ international friendly matches is increased to eight; both teams may agree to a further increase up to a maximum of eleven.
-   Law 4 (The Player’s Equipment): Non-dangerous items will be permitted if safely and securely covered.
-   Law 5 (The Referee): Referee body cameras (chest- or head-mounted) may be used as a competition option, with the competition providing the cameras and controlling the use of the footage.
-   Law 8 (The Start and Restart of Play): Clarification that the ball is dropped for the team that would have had or retained possession had play not been stopped.
-   Law 10 (Determining the Outcome of a Match) and Law 14 (The Penalty Kick): Incorporation of the clarification contained in circular 31 (June 2025) regarding an accidental “double touch” by the penalty taker.
-   Law 12 (Fouls and Misconduct): Where the referee applies advantage for an offence for (denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity and a goal is scored), the offending player will not be cautioned, as the offence did not prevent a goal.


The IFAB also agreed that consultation will be held to develop measures where (i) players unilaterally deciding to leave the field of play as an act of protest against a referee’s decision or team officials instigating such action, and (ii) players covering their mouth when confronting opponents during matches.


The AGM agreed to continue offside trials related to offside and received updates on the development of semi-automated offside technology (SAOT), and the ongoing FIFA-led trial of Football Video Support (FVS).

[Blue Green Algae]

I think the biggest issue we've seen recently with on-field treatment is goalkeepers going down for no reason (usually when the opposition has a bit of momentum going), allowing the manager to get their players together for a mid-game chat. I'd assume the new ruling for on-field treatment won't do anything to prevent this.

[Nudga]

Going down the route of Futsal which is much needed

[idler]

It is sad that if the game was played in the right spirit few of these measures would be needed. Players and coaches have both broken and bent the rules to gain unfair advantages which has only harmed the game as a spectacle.

[drfchound]

I have always found it strange that a player who has been injured through a foul has to leave the field if the trainer has been on the pitch to tend to him but that the perpetrator of the foul can stay on the field.

[Thorney]

So a player gets a knock from a foul.
If the physio comes on then he has to go off for a full minute??

Theres gonna be some complaints when the team that commited the foul goes on and scores whilst the fouled player is off the pitch leaving them a player short.

[Alan Southstand]

Surely, the powers that be should be seriously looking at taking the World Cup out of the USA?

Anything on that?

[Rupee92ONLY]

All that adding these new rules do just makes things even more confusing and some of them are subjective so you’re not getting any consistency from one ref to the next.

I’m off to England’s R32 game in the World Cup and i’m not even that buzzed for it. I think it’ll be a dreadful World Cup that they’ll try selling as the best.

[DRNaith]

It is sad that if the game was played in the right spirit few of these measures would be needed. Players and coaches have both broken and bent the rules to gain unfair advantages which has only harmed the game as a spectacle.

I absolutely agree with this. If the players carried the integrity required for most communities, most of the changes wouldn't be required.

[Draytonian III]

I have always found it strange that a player who has been injured through a foul has to leave the field if the trainer has been on the pitch to tend to him but that the perpetrator of the foul can stay on the field.

That could lead to every time there’s a foul the physio comes on, players will be play acting even more especially if the player commits the foul is one of the opposition’s better players.

[moses]

To be fair on players leaving the field after treatment, I think the balance of players getting treatment has moved from them being injured to slowing the game down. Managers/players have only themselves to blame for this.
Agree with the 5 second rule on throw ins, although Maxwell will have to change his throw in routine.

[scawsby steve]

Surely, the powers that be should be seriously looking at taking the Eorld Cup out of the USA?

Anything on that?

Why?

[mugnapper]

I saw the thread title and thought they'd introduced a rule that the tournament couldn't be held in a country where the president wasn't an adjusted rapist and an alleged paedophile.
We can live in hope.

[roversdude]

I’m guessing Iran won’t be going

[Spilsby Red]

Well they should. Is sport not about politics unless it suits. Trump using churchills name. Shameful. Second World War. Join in 1941 then claim to win the war. America not interested in Falklands war. Nothing to do with them. If I get slated for this so be it. Served my country for 25 years. 13 in the RAF and 12 as a nurse. So forgive me for expressing my opinion. I could be dead soon thanks to the NHS misreading a scan many years ago. It is what it is. But that orange idiot!!!!

[scawsby steve]

Not singling anyone out, but can people please leave politics in the politics section.

Donald Trump didn't select the USA as hosts for this year's World Cup, FIFA did.

Yes, we all know FIFA has some bum form when it comes to selecting host nations, the corrupt choosing  of Qatar confirmed that, but with the USA it's different, because a precedent has been set, in that the 1994 World Cup in the USA was the highest attended World Cup in history.

[Padge_DRFC]

Unreal no changes made for goal keepers faking injury

[Spilsby Red]

Sorry SS. I know that was aimed at me but

[scawsby steve]

Sorry SS. I know that was aimed at me but

No it wasn't, mate. If you look back at this thread, there are several references to dislike of Trump, and the USA in general.

I was just alluding to the fact that there are footballing factors to be considered rather than political aspects.

[Spilsby Red]

I hadn’t seen them SS