IFAB Approves Multiple Rule Changes, Including New Red Card Offences, to Take Effect at 2026 World Cup

The International Football Association Board approved a package of rule changes on Sunday that will debut at the FIFA World Cup 2026, which begins June 11. The measures will remain in force for the 2026-2027 season across all competitions. FIFA Chief Refereeing Officer Pierluigi Collina said the amendments aim to tackle discrimination, cut time-wasting, enhance match tempo and improve both the player and fan experience.

Players who cover their mouths with hands, arms or shirts during confrontational situations will receive a red card. The rule will not apply when players cover their mouths during friendly conversations with club teammates on opposing national teams.

The change follows Benfica forward Gianluca Prestianni’s six-game UEFA suspension, later extended worldwide, after he was accused of directing discriminatory slurs at Vinicius Jr while covering his mouth.

Players who leave the field to protest a referee’s decision will also be shown a red card, as will any team official who incites such action. Teams that abandon a match will forfeit the result. The measures were introduced after Senegal walked off during the Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco in protest of a penalty.

Referees will conduct a visible five-second countdown for throw-ins and goal kicks. Failure to release a throw-in in time awards the restart to the opponents; failure to take a goal kick awards them a corner kick. Substitutes must exit within 10 seconds of the board being raised and must leave at the nearest boundary point.

If they remain on the field beyond the limit, the replacement player may enter only at the next stoppage after one minute has passed. An outfield player treated on the pitch by medical staff must leave the field for one minute after play restarts, with exceptions for goalkeeper injuries, collisions involving goalkeepers, severe injuries and players about to take penalties.

The VAR protocol will expand to review red cards issued after an incorrect second yellow card, cases of mistaken identity, incorrectly awarded corner kicks that can be corrected without delay, and fouls committed before restarts from set pieces.

VAR was first used in FIFA competitions in 2017 and debuted at a World Cup during Russia 2018. A mandatory three-minute hydration break will occur near the 22nd minute of each half. When a goalkeeper receives treatment, players from both teams will remain on the field and will not be permitted to confer with coaches.