The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has confirmed a number of seismic rule changes that will be introduced for the 2026 World Cup.
While we were made aware before the 2022 World Cup that we could see an increase in the amount of stoppage time added, few expected nearly all games to exceed 100 minutes in length.
An astonishing 24 minutes were added during England's 6-2 win over Iran at the tournament, breaking the record for the most added time in World Cup history.
Fifa referees' chief Pierluigi Collina has overseen a number of rule changes for the 2026 edition in an attempt to eradicate tactics used to slow the tempo of play and waste time, which, in theory, should reduce the amount of stoppage time added.
Read on as we list every rule change that has been approved ahead of this summer's tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Rule changes at the World Cup
- VAR can step in if a foul is committed before the ball enters play at a set piece.
- VAR can overturn wrongly awarded second yellow cards and incorrectly awarded corners.
- Five-second countdowns will be carried out for throw-ins and goal-kicks.
- Deliberate attempts from goalkeepers to run down the clock can result in a corner being awarded.
- If a substituted player fails to leave the pitch at the nearest point in 10 seconds, the substitute cannot enter the field for at least one minute and the team must continue with 10 players.
- Red cards will be given to players covering their mouths during confrontations.
- Teams will be punished for walking off the pitch in protest.
- Players who are treated by the physio must stay off the field for 60 seconds.
