The IFAB (International Football Association Board), the association that determines the rules of the game, confirmed this Saturday at its annual meeting that VAR will review corners and second yellow cards at the 2026 World Cup to be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The changes will come into effect from June 1 and, in addition to these new rules for VAR, will also include different measures on the referee’s side to ensure that less time is wasted in matches.
IFAB imposes countdowns and penalties to curb time-wasting
A five-second countdown will be introduced for throw-ins and goal kicks and a ten-second countdown for substitutions.
When the referee determines that a throw-in has exceeded those five seconds, the throw-in shall be given to the other team.
And when it occurs at a goal kick, a corner will be awarded to the opponent.
In the case of substitutions, if the player takes more than ten seconds to leave the field, his replacement will have to wait to enter until the next stoppage of play.
As a result, the team will have to play with one less player for a few moments.
When a player has to be treated for an injury and leaves the field, he must remain out of the game for one minute.
These measures have been approved at the IFAB meeting held every year in Cardiff (Wales).
This new regulation will be valid for both the World Cup starting in the summer and the 2026-2027 season.
IFAB reinforces offside
The changes will come into effect starting June 1
QuéOnnda.com
In addition, the IFAB has committed to continue to review the application of offside.
As well as to take measures against players who cover their mouths to insult rivals.
This after the racist episode Vinícius Júnior experienced with Gianluca Prestianni a few days ago in the Champions League.
The IFAB has also confirmed that the Wenger offside law, which establishes that it is the striker’s back of the ball in line with the defender that marks or not the attacker’s offside situation, will be tested in the Canadian Premier League starting next season, which begins in April (Filed under: VAR will change the 2026 World Cup).
With information from EFE
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com
