New Rules For FIFA World Cup
Sports Correspondent -The International Football Association Board (IFAB) is preparing to roll out a series of rule changes designed to reduce time-wasting before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Reports from Europe indicate that IFAB will ratify the proposed amendments at its annual general meeting in Wales on Saturday. Central to the changes is a new five-second limit for restarts such as throw-ins and placed goal kicks.
Under the proposal, referees will be empowered to initiate a visible five-second countdown — signalled by a whistle and hand gesture — if they judge that a player is deliberately delaying the restart. Failure to take a throw-in within the allotted time would see possession awarded to the opposing team, while deliberate delays at goal kicks could result in a corner being given.
Substitutions are also set to face tighter regulation. Teams will reportedly be given just 10 seconds to complete a substitution once the process has begun. If they exceed that window, the incoming player would not be permitted to enter the field, forcing the team to play short-handed for at least one minute.
In another significant adjustment, IFAB plans to standardise a one-minute off-field requirement for injured players whose treatment has led to a stoppage. The measure will apply across all competitions, although goalkeepers will remain exempt from this rule.
The proposed reforms are aimed at preserving the flow of matches and limiting excessive stoppage time — an issue that has raised concerns around player welfare and posed challenges for fans and broadcasters alike.
Should the changes be approved, they will officially take effect on July 1. However, competitions such as the World Cup, which kicks off in June, could opt to enforce the new regulations earlier.
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