The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has introduced a series of law changes that will come into effect from the 2026–27 season, and will also be implemented during the FIFA World Cup 2026, scheduled to begin on June 11 across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Players Covering Their Mouths
Any player who deliberately covers their mouth with a hand, arm, or shirt during confrontational situations will now face a red card. However, this rule does not apply to casual or friendly conversations between players, such as discussions with club teammates on opposing sides.
Leaving the Field in Protest
Players who leave the pitch in protest against a referee’s decision will be sent off. The same sanction applies to team officials who encourage such actions. Moreover, teams that cause a match to be abandoned will automatically forfeit the game.
Throw-ins and Goal-kick Time Limits
Referees will use a visible five-second countdown. If a throw-in is not taken in time, possession will be awarded to the opposition. Similarly, if a goal-kick is not executed within the countdown, a corner will be given to the opposing team.
Substitution Rules
Substituted players must leave the field within 10 seconds and exit via the nearest boundary point. Failure to comply will delay the incoming substitute, who can only enter after the next stoppage following a one-minute delay after play restarts. Exceptions apply in cases of injury or safety concerns.
Medical Treatment Off the Field
Any outfield player treated on the pitch must leave the field for one minute after play resumes. Exceptions include goalkeeper injuries, collisions involving goalkeepers or teammates, head injuries, and situations where the player is due to take a penalty.
VAR Protocol Expansion
VAR will now intervene in additional situations, including clearly incorrect yellow-to-red card decisions, mistaken identity cases, wrongly awarded corner kicks, and fouls committed before play restarts. Referees may also be advised to review incidents before resuming play, with appropriate disciplinary action taken if needed.
Hydration Breaks
Each half will include a mandatory three-minute hydration break, typically around the 22nd minute. Referees may adjust timing if stoppages such as injuries occur earlier in the half.
Goalkeeper Injuries
If a goalkeeper requires treatment on the field, both teams will be prohibited from gathering for tactical discussions or taking coaching “timeouts” during the stoppage.
