IFAB Approves Expanded VAR Powers, New Red Card for Mouth Covering, and Rules to Speed Up Play

The International Football Association Board approved several changes to soccer's laws of the game that will take effect at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada and in leagues around the world next season. The Video Assistant Referee will now be permitted to review an incorrectly awarded corner kick provided the review does not delay the restart.

VAR will also be allowed to examine any attacking fouls that occur before play resumes and can recommend disciplinary action when such a foul precedes a goal, penalty, corner or free kick.

Additional VAR powers include the ability to review a red card issued after a second yellow card when the decision is clearly incorrect and to correct cases of mistaken identity when a player receives a yellow or red card for an offense committed by a teammate.

Players who cover their mouth with a hand, arm or shirt during a confrontation with an opponent will receive a red card. The rule was introduced to prevent potential racist comments from being concealed, following an incident between Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni and Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior in the UEFA Champions League.

Players may still cover their mouths during friendly exchanges, but any sign of confrontation can trigger the sanction. Substituted players must leave the field within 10 seconds at the nearest point of exit. If they fail to do so, the incoming player must wait at least one minute until the next stoppage and the team must play with 10 players until then.

Referees will begin a five-second countdown when they believe a player is deliberately delaying a throw-in or goal kick, after which the team will be penalized if the restart has not occurred. Former Select Group referee Andy Davies described the VAR expansions as sensible additions to the review protocol and called the mouth-covering rule an important measure to protect players in confrontational situations.

He also characterized the substitution and restart rules as positive steps intended to speed up play.