FSoccer’s rulebook is undergoing one of the biggest changes in years, with the International Football Association Board (IFAB) giving the green light to a series of measures aimed at overhauling the way matches are played and key decisions made, many of which will come into effect at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The changes, agreed at IFAB’s 140th Annual General Meeting in Hensol, Wales, aim to address long-standing complaints about the tempo and clarity of matches that have plagued all levels of football, from regional leagues to the high-profile tournament that kicks off on June 11, 2026.
One of the most discussed introductions is a visible countdown to restart play. In light of recent efforts to speed play, referees can now start a five-second visual count if a team appears to be intentionally delaying a throw or goal kick.
If the ball is not back in play at the end of the countdown, possession is passed to the opponent, the throw-in is changed, or a delayed goal kick is converted into a corner kick.
Player substitutions will also be more strictly controlled. Players leaving the field must do so within 10 seconds of receiving the signal.
Otherwise, exiting players must leave immediately, while entering players are prohibited from entering until the next stoppage after one minute of play has elapsed.
Another notable change targets injury tactics. Players suspended due to injury or who are being evaluated on the field must leave play when play resumes and must remain out of play for at least one minute of game time. This is a measure aimed at preventing strategic delays.
Perhaps the most impactful change will come from the expanded role of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
VAR has previously been limited in what it can investigate, but will now be allowed to intervene in additional key scenarios, such as a red card resulting from an erroneous second yellow, the wrong player being sanctioned or a clearly erroneous corner kick, but only “if the review can be completed immediately without delaying the restart”.
The organization also confirmed clarification of situations such as dropped balls, ensuring possession of the ball to the team most likely to maintain play, and adjustments to penalty kick procedures regarding accidental double touches.
“We have decided to move forward along the path of making the game cleaner, keeping the tempo of the game high and eliminating chaos in the game,” said Pierluigi Colina, president of the FIFA Referees Committee, underscoring the broad intentions behind the reforms.
“All these decisions are aimed at improving the quality of football around the world… We want to protect the game, we want to make it more fun, interesting and better.”
What is driving reform?
The IFAB’s decision comes after persistent criticism from fans, experts and clubs that the game is muddied by tactical time-wasting and inconsistent use of technology.
The countdown mechanism mirrors similar changes already being trialled in leagues such as Major League Soccer, where time-based substitutions and injury treatment rules reduce artificial interruptions, and calls for its introduction are growing around the world.
The expansion of VAR powers also reflects the growing desire for fairness and accuracy in important decisions.
High-profile controversies over misidentification and incorrect bookings, which can have a dramatic impact on match results, have prompted calls for broader video review powers.
