- IFAB also approved several adjustments to the Video Assistant Referee system.
- The new measures, set to take effect at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and across other competitions
- if a referee plays advantage after a denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity and a goal is subsequently scored
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has approved a series of rule changes aimed at speeding up matches and curbing time-wasting during its 140th Annual General Meeting held in Hensol, Wales.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the session was chaired by Mike Jones, President of the Football Association of Wales, as the FAW celebrates its 150th anniversary.
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The new measures, set to take effect at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and across other competitions, were introduced in response to feedback from across the football community seeking to protect effective playing time and maintain match intensity.
Faster restarts for throw-ins and goal kicks
Expanding on previous changes that limited how long goalkeepers can hold the ball, IFAB confirmed that referees will now apply a visible five-second countdown to throw-ins and goal kicks if they believe there is unnecessary delay.
Failure to restart play within that time will result in possession being handed to the opposing team. A delayed throw-in will be awarded to the other side, while a delayed goal kick will lead to a corner for the opposition.
Time limit on substitutions
To prevent stoppages from dragging on, players being substituted must leave the field within 10 seconds once the substitution board is displayed or the referee signals the change.
If they do not exit in time, they must still leave, but their replacement will have to wait until the next stoppage after one minute of active play before entering.
Injury assessments and temporary exit
Players who receive treatment on the pitch or cause play to be halted due to injury will be required to remain off the field for at least one minute after play resumes. This measure is designed to discourage unnecessary interruptions.
Updates to VAR protocol
IFAB also approved several adjustments to the Video Assistant Referee system. VAR will now be able to intervene in cases where a second yellow card leading to a red is clearly incorrect, where the wrong player is penalised due to mistaken identity, and, if competition rules allow, where a corner kick has been obviously awarded in error, provided the review does not delay the restart.
Trials will also be conducted to assess and address instances where goalkeepers appear to delay play by feigning injury for tactical reasons.
Amendments to the Laws of the Game for 2026/27
From 1 July 2026, the updated Laws of the Game will introduce additional changes. Senior international friendlies will permit up to eight substitutes, with the option for teams to agree on as many as eleven.
Safely covered, non-dangerous equipment will be allowed. Competitions may also authorise the use of referee body cameras, with organisers responsible for equipment and footage management.
Clarifications have been added to restarts following dropped balls, confirming that possession should return to the team that would likely have had the ball if play had not been stopped.
Guidance on accidental double touches during penalty kicks has been formally incorporated into the laws.
Additionally, if a referee plays advantage after a denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity and a goal is subsequently scored, the offending player will not receive a caution.
Further consultations will explore potential measures to address situations where players leave the pitch in protest of officiating decisions or cover their mouths while confronting opponents.
The AGM also reviewed ongoing offside trials, including the development of semi-automated offside technology, and received updates on FIFA’s Football Video Support trials.
Representatives from FIFA, The FA, the Scottish FA, the FA of Wales, the Irish FA, and IFAB officials attended the meeting. The decisions taken are intended to keep the sport dynamic, fair, and aligned with the evolving demands of the modern game.
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