Gary Neville has already referred to one of the changes as “incredible”. The 2026 World Championships introduce six new rules that could define this summer’s championships in the USA, Mexico and Canada – including 10-second substitutions and new measures against time-wasting.
Earlier this year, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) announced a number of changes for the upcoming tournament. The goal is to increase the pace of matches and improve the experience for both fans and players.
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IFAB is the organization that determines the rules of football. Former top referee Pierluigi Collina, who is currently FIFA’s head of refereeing, has played a key role in implementing the planned changes.
“We’re trying to clean up the game as much as possible,” Collina said.
The new rules range from a five-second countdown for throw-ins and goal kicks to mandatory one-minute processing periods off the pitch. In a championship with 48 teams, this can be of great importance.
These are the six new rules
Rule 1: Substitutes now have ten seconds to leave the field. If they take longer, the new player must wait one minute before being allowed in.
Rule 2: The referees will use a visible five-second countdown for both throw-ins and goal kicks. If a throw-in is not taken before the countdown expires, possession goes to the opponent. If a goal kick is delayed beyond the countdown, the opposing team gets a corner.
Rule 3: Players receiving medical treatment on the course must generally stay off the court for 60 seconds before they can return. Exceptions will apply in certain situations.
Rule 4: VAR can overturn incorrectly awarded other yellow cards and incorrectly awarded corners.
Rule 5: VAR can intervene if a foul is committed before the ball is put into play on a set piece.
Rule 6: Players who cover their mouths in a confrontational situation with an opponent may be punished with a red card.
“Covering your mouth means you’re doing something potentially very wrong”
Rule number six comes after Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni received a six-match suspension from UEFA. He was found guilty of homophobic behaviour towards Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr during a Champions League match in February.
“If it’s a friendly conversation, they can carry on without any problems,” Collina explained.
“We respect that there are players who are friends. It is normal to talk before, during and after the match. But when it becomes confrontational, it’s a completely different story. Covering your mouth means that you are doing something that is potentially very wrong.
“This is something you do on purpose. It’s not something a player can do instinctively,” he added.
Gary Neville hopes the rule change will benefit fans
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville is particularly excited about the first rule change – time-limited substitutions.
“I think this is an incredible introduction,” Neville said on The Overlap.
“I love it. It’s so annoying to see players go off slowly. The players and teams take advantage of the system.
“You can criticize FIFA too much, but I think they get their referee stuff right. I think these are pretty good introductions, and they’re going to make the game better for fans.
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