The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has approved a comprehensive set of changes to the Laws of the Game that will debut at the FIFA World Cup 2026, which kicks off on June 11 across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Aimed at tackling discrimination, slashing time-wasting, boosting match tempo, and enhancing the experience for players and fans alike, the updates mark one of the most significant overhauls in recent football history.
FIFA’s Chief Refereeing Officer Pierluigi Collina described the reforms as a major step forward. “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,” he told reporters. “These amendments aim to tackle discrimination, cut time-wasting, enhance match tempo and improve both the player and fan experience.”
One of the most eye-catching measures targets potential discriminatory behavior. Players who cover their mouths with a hand, arm, or shirt during confrontational situations will now receive a straight red card. The rule draws from recent high-profile incidents, such as the case involving Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni, but allows exceptions for friendly conversations between teammates or opponents.
Collina clarified the intent: “If it is a friendly conversation, they can continue to do it without any problem. When it is confrontational, it is a completely different story. Covering the mouth means you are doing something potentially very wrong.” He added that the action is deliberate: “This is something you do on purpose. It is not something that a player can do instinctively.”
Protests against referee decisions face stricter penalties. Any player who leaves the field of play in protest will be shown a red card, as will team officials who incite such behavior. Teams causing a match to be abandoned will forfeit the game, a direct response to incidents like Senegal’s walk-off in the Africa Cup of Nations final.
To combat time-wasting, referees will use a visible five-second countdown for throw-ins and goal kicks, signaled by a raised hand. Failure to restart play in time hands possession to the opposition—a throw-in for delays on throws, or a corner kick for goal kicks. Substituted players must leave the pitch within 10 seconds at the nearest boundary line, or their replacement faces a one-minute delay before entering (with exceptions for injuries or safety).
Players receiving on-field medical treatment will generally need to stay off the pitch for at least one minute after play restarts, except in cases like head injuries, goalkeeper collisions, or when taking a penalty. Goalkeepers holding up play will also face tighter scrutiny under expanded rules.
VAR’s role expands significantly. The technology can now intervene on clearly incorrect second yellow cards, mistaken identity for cards, incorrectly awarded corners (if correctable immediately), and fouls committed by attackers before set pieces restart that lead to goals, penalties, or major sanctions. Collina explained the evolution: “We started using VAR in FIFA competitions in 2017… So, we think it is time to reconsider the protocol which was written when there was very limited experience.”
For the World Cup specifically, a three-minute hydration break will occur around the 22nd minute of each half, with some referee flexibility based on match events. All 48 national team coaches participated in workshops on the changes, and players will receive briefings before the tournament.
Collina emphasized the broader goal: “We are trying to clean the game as much as possible.” With 170 officials preparing in Miami and the changes set to roll into the 2026-27 season, football’s lawmakers are betting these rules will deliver a faster, fairer, and more watchable spectacle when the expanded 48-team World Cup begins.
The tournament promises to test these innovations under the global spotlight, potentially setting the standard for the sport’s future.
