The International Football Association Board (IFAB) is set to introduce new rules ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in a bid to cut down on time-wasting.
According to reports in Europe, IFAB will approve a series of law changes at its annual general meeting in Wales on Saturday. The amendments are expected to include giving referees the licence to start a five-second countdown when they believe players are taking too long at a throw-in or placed goal kick.
The procedure would involve a whistle, a visible signal and a hand-counted timer. If a player takes more than five seconds to restart play from a throw-in, possession would be handed to the opposition, while intentionally delaying a goal kick would result in a corner being awarded.
Another proposed change is the introduction of a 10-second window for substitutions. Should a team fail to complete the change within that timeframe, they would not be allowed to introduce the substitute and would have to play with one fewer player for at least a minute.
Additionally, IFAB is set to introduce a universal one-minute rule across all competitions, requiring injured players — whose condition has led to a stoppage — to remain off the field for that duration.
Injuries to goalkeepers are expected to remain exempt from these changes.
All the proposed measures are intended to maintain the rhythm of play while minimising the extra time added for stoppages — an issue that creates difficulties in terms of player welfare, as well as for supporters and broadcasters.
Any amendments approved on Saturday will officially come into effect on July 1, although tournaments such as the World Cup, which begins in June, may choose to implement them earlier.
Related Posts
#football #rules #proposed #FIFA #World #Cup
