By Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has announced a series of amendments to the Laws of the Game that will take effect from the 2026–27 season, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup serving as the first major tournament to implement the changes.
The tournament, scheduled to kick off on June 11, 2026, across the United States, Mexico and Canada, will introduce new regulations aimed at reducing time-wasting, improving player behaviour, increasing match tempo and enhancing the overall experience for players, officials and supporters.
According to FIFA Chief Refereeing Officer, Pierluigi Collina, the changes are designed to promote fairness, discipline and efficiency in football.
Players Covering Their Mouths During Confrontations
Under the new rules, players who deliberately cover their mouths with their hands, arms or jerseys during confrontational situations may receive a straight red card.
The measure is intended to discourage discriminatory remarks and other forms of hidden misconduct.
However, players will not be penalised for covering their mouths during ordinary or friendly conversations.
Leaving the Pitch in Protest
Players who intentionally leave the field of play to protest a refereeing decision will be shown a red card.
The rule also applies to coaches or team officials who encourage such actions. Any team that causes a match to be abandoned through a protest walk-off will automatically forfeit the game.
Five-Second Countdown for Restarts
Referees will introduce a visible five-second countdown during throw-ins and goal-kicks to reduce delays.
If a player fails to take a throw-in before the countdown expires, possession will be awarded to the opposing team. Likewise, if a goalkeeper delays a goal-kick beyond the allowed period, the opposition will receive a corner kick.
New Substitution Procedure
Substituted players must leave the pitch within 10 seconds and exit through the nearest point on the touchline.
Failure to comply will result in a delay before the replacement player is allowed to enter the field, leaving the team temporarily short-handed. Exceptions will apply in cases involving injury or security concerns.
Off-Field Medical Treatment
To discourage players from feigning injuries to waste time, any outfield player who receives medical treatment on the pitch must remain off the field for one minute after play resumes.
Exceptions include goalkeepers, serious head injuries, concussions, collisions involving goalkeepers and situations where the injured player is designated to take a penalty kick.
Expanded VAR Powers
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system will receive additional authority to intervene in specific situations.
VAR will now be able to recommend reviews in cases involving mistaken identity, incorrect disciplinary sanctions, obvious corner-kick errors and certain attacking fouls committed before the ball is put back into play from set-pieces.
Mandatory Hydration Breaks
Every World Cup match will feature a compulsory three-minute hydration break in each half.
The breaks are expected to occur around the 22nd minute of each half, although referees will have flexibility to adjust the timing when necessary, particularly following injuries or other stoppages.
Restrictions During Goalkeeper Treatment
When a goalkeeper receives medical treatment on the field, outfield players from both teams must remain on the pitch.
The rule is intended to prevent teams from using goalkeeper injury stoppages as unofficial tactical timeouts to receive instructions from coaching staff.
The new measures represent one of the most significant revisions to football’s laws in recent years and are expected to have a major impact on how the game is played and officiated at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
