Story by
FIFA confirms rule changes for 2026 World Cup
- Story by
- FIFA confirms rule changes for 2026 World Cup
FIFA confirms rule changes for 2026 World Cup appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
With officially just a few days left for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico , and Canada , FIFA has officially confirmed and implemented a few new rule changes.
Advertisement
Weeks before the World Cup kicks off on Jun. 11 , the international self-regulatory body for football has announced that a new set of regulations will be implemented during the tournament. On Sunday, May. 31, 2026 the International Football Association Board (IFAB) announced several modifications to the rules of football, which will take effect starting with the 2026-2027 season and will also be implemented during the World Cup.
"The IFAB approved a set of landmark changes to the Laws of the Game, and the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the first major tournament to use them," FIFA Chief Refereeing Officer Pierluigi Collina shared in a statement to reporters . "These amendments aim to tackle discrimination, cut time-wasting, enhance match tempo and improve both the player and fan experience." (via Al Jazeera)
With just weeks left for the World Cup, here are the new rules that are going to take place this year:
-
Five-second countdowns for throw-ins and goal kicks.
-
Red cards will be given to players covering their mouths during confrontations.
-
Punishment to be given to teams that walk off the pitch in protest.
-
Mandatory one-minute off-field treatment periods.
-
VAR can step in if a foul is committed before the ball enters play during a set piece.
-
VAR can overrule wrongly awarded second yellow cards and corner kicks.
There will also be three-minute hydration breaks provided in each half in every match. The breaks will be taken around the halfway mark, which is the 22nd minute. Also, if an injured goalkeeper is receiving treatment on the pitch, players from both teams will not be allowed to leave the field.
Advertisement
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to begin on Jun. 11, 2026, with the first match taking place between Mexico and South Africa .
Related: Landon Donovan's World Cup predictions, message to USMNT in new Nescafe partnership
Related: World cup news: Cristiano Ronaldo begins training for Portugal
