Error code: %{errorCode}
FIFA plans to speed up play at the World Cup with these new rules
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest in history, with 48 teams and 104 matches spread across three countries.
But that won't be the only change for the biggest football tournament in the world.
Through several changes to the Laws of the Game, FIFA and the International Football Association Board (IFAB) hope that games at this summer's competition will be quicker than ever.
The governing bodies have annouced a number of measures they say are "designed to enhance match tempo and reduce time-wasting across the game."
DAZN News rounds up the new regulations.
What are the the rule changes set to affect this year's World Cup?
At IFAB's 140th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in February, football's regulatory board announced a number of new initiatives to be rolled out in 2026, notably at the World Cup but also in competitions that started early in the year like MLS.
According to IFAB and FIFA, these changes "respond directly to calls from stakeholders across the football community, including The IFAB’s globally representative advisory panels, for practical tools to protect effective playing time."
Here are the rule changes, explained:
Five-second countdown on throw-ins and goal kicks
Throw-ins and goal kicks must be taken within five seconds. If it takes longer, the other team gets possession.
IFAB explanation: "If the referee considers that a throw-in or goal kick is taking too long or is being deliberately delayed, a five-second visual countdown will be initiated. If the ball is not in play at the end of the countdown, the throw-in will be awarded to the opposing team; a delayed goal kick will result in a corner kick to the opposing team."
Substitutions must take 10 seconds or less
Substituted players must leave the field within 10 seconds. If they don’t, their replacement must wait at least one minute before entering.
IFAB explanation: "To further streamline match flow, substituted players must leave the field of play within 10 seconds of the substitution board being displayed or, where no board is used, upon the referee’s signal. Should the player fail to leave within this time, they must still exit the field; however, the substitute will not be permitted to enter until the first stoppage after one minute of play (running clock) has elapsed."
Injured players must leave the field for at least a minute
Players who receive medical treatment must leave the field for one minute before returning to play.
IFAB explanation: "Where a player receives on-field assessment for an injury, or their injury causes play to be stopped, the player will be required to leave the field of play and remain off for one minute once play (running clock) has restarted."
Video assistant referee (VAR) can now review second yellow cards and corner kicks
While this is not specifically a measure aimed at improving the flow of the game, it is meant to improve accuracy of on-field decisions. VAR can now review second yellow cards and corner‑kick decisions when there is a clear and obvious error.
IFAB explanation: "With regard to the VAR system protocol, the AGM approved three adjustments. Where there is clear evidence, the VAR will now be permitted to check and review:
- red cards arising from a clearly incorrect second yellow card;
- mistaken identity, when the referee penalises the wrong team for an offence resulting in a red or yellow card being shown to the wrong player; and
- competitions may allow VARs to review a clearly incorrectly awarded corner kick, provided that the review can be completed immediately and without delaying the restart."
DAZN/FIFA
Watch World Cup archive, highlights, and documentaries for FREE on DAZN
DAZN is the home of FIFA+, a vast library of football on-demand content including World Cup archive, iconic documentaries, player profiles, live matches, and both full match replays and highlights.
Watch it all for FREE on DAZN on smart TVs, phones, tablets, streaming devices, games consoles, and web browsers.
FIFA+ includes:
- FIFA World Cup archive - full match replays of all matches from Brazil 1970 to Qatar 2022
- World Cup goals - the best goals from each tournament; every goal from every nation from every tournament
- Original documentaries - including Mo: A Global Icon; Golden Boot: The Documentary; After Diego
- Icons of the game - From Pelé to Cristiano Ronaldo
- Behind-the-scenes content
- Live matches from around the world
