The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has approved a sweeping set of rule changes for the 2026 World Cup, headlined by an expanded role for VAR and strict new countdowns to combat time-wasting.
Video officials can now intervene on incorrectly awarded corners and second yellow cards. While FIFA will implement this at the World Cup, leagues like the Premier League are expected to opt out of the corner reviews to avoid delays.
New countdowns will apply to goal-kicks and throw-ins. If a player exceeds the limit, possession will be awarded to the opposition (e.g., a goal-kick becomes a corner).
Also, players must leave the field within 10 seconds. Failure to do so forces their team to play a man down for 60 seconds.
Meanwhile, players receiving treatment must now stay off the pitch for one minute (doubled from 30 seconds) to discourage tactical “injuries.”
In a related update, Arsene Wenger’s “daylight” offside proposal—requiring a full body gap between attacker and defender—will finally be trialled in the Canadian Premier League this April.
Red cards for denying a goal-scoring opportunity will now cover “fast-break” scenarios where a fouled player could have passed to a teammate in a scoring position.
IFAB also confirmed they are exploring measures to stop players from covering their mouths when confronting opponents, following high-profile allegations of racial abuse.
