Global football governing body FIFA has approved a series of significant amendments to the Laws of the Game, including an expanded role for Video Assistant Referee (VAR), as part of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The decision followed the 140th Annual General Meeting of the International Football Association Board held in Wales, where football lawmakers agreed on reforms aimed at reducing time-wasting, improving refereeing accuracy and ensuring smoother match flow.
The changes are expected to be implemented before the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico and will feature an expanded tournament format of 48 teams.
Faster Substitutions To Prevent Time-Wasting
One of the key rule changes targets delays during substitutions. Under the new regulation, players being substituted must leave the field within 10 seconds after the change is signaled.
If a player deliberately delays exiting the pitch, the incoming substitute will be forced to wait for one minute before entering the field, effectively leaving the team temporarily short-handed.
Football authorities believe the measure will discourage teams from intentionally slowing the game when trying to protect narrow leads, a tactic that has frequently caused frustration among players and fans.
Countdown Introduced For Throw-ins And Goal Kicks
Another rule targets time-wasting during restarts. Players will now have only five seconds to take throw-ins and goal kicks once the ball is ready for play.
If the player fails to restart within the countdown period, possession will automatically be awarded to the opposing team.
Officials say the countdown system is designed to maintain the tempo of matches and eliminate situations where players deliberately delay restarts to disrupt the rhythm of the game.
Injured Players Must Receive Treatment Off The Pitch
Changes have also been made to how injuries are handled during matches. Under the revised rule, players requiring medical attention must leave the field and remain off the pitch for at least one minute before returning to action.
The measure, previously tested in several FIFA trial competitions including the FIFA Arab Cup, is intended to prevent players from feigning injuries to waste time.
According to Pierluigi Collina, the rule will help reduce unnecessary stoppages and keep matches flowing more smoothly.
VAR Powers Expanded
Perhaps the most notable reform is the expansion of the Video Assistant Referee system.
Previously, VAR reviews were limited to four key scenarios: goals, penalty decisions, direct red cards and cases of mistaken identity.
Under the updated rules, VAR officials will also be able to review potential second yellow card offences and incorrect corner-kick decisions.
Referees may intervene when a clear error is identified, provided the review is carried out quickly and does not significantly disrupt play.
The International Football Association Board stressed that VAR must still be used sparingly and only for obvious mistakes in order to preserve the flow of matches.
Preparing For The Biggest World Cup Ever
Football authorities believe the reforms will improve fairness, reduce disputes surrounding refereeing decisions and create a faster-paced game.
With the 2026 tournament set to feature the largest number of teams in World Cup history, officials say the rule changes will help referees manage matches more efficiently while ensuring greater consistency across competitions worldwide. ⚽