FIFA confirmed four modifications to the regulations that will be in force from the first match of the 2026 World Cup, which will be played in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The changes were approved with the aim of modernizing the game and eliminating interruptions that affect the pace of matches.
The new rules come in the context of the preparation of a tournament that will already mark history due to its expanded format to 48 teams. FIFA is working on the organizational details of the World Cup while also defining the regulatory framework under which the most important competition in world football will be played.
The adjustments directly affect the behavior of the players during the match and expand the powers of the video referee system. According to the organization, the measures seek to guarantee a more dynamic experience both for fans in the stadiums and for those who follow the tournament from home.
The four rules of the 2026 World Cup
The first amendment establishes a strict limit on substitutions. The replaced players will have 10 seconds to leave the field from the moment the change is indicated. If they exceed that time, the player who is going to enter must wait a full minute on the sideline before being able to enter the field of play.
The second rule applies to throw-ins. Starting with the 2026 World Cup, the sides must execute in a maximum of five seconds. If the team in possession does not put the ball into play within that margin, possession will automatically pass to the opposing team, eliminating one of the most common time-saving tactics.
Health care protocols also change. Any player who requires assistance on the field must leave the field of play once the match resumes and wait at least one minute before being able to rejoin. The measure seeks to prevent injury interruptions from being used as a resource to stop the game at key moments.
The fourth modification expands the scope of the VAR. The video referee system may intervene in situations that were not previously reviewable, specifically in double yellow decisions and corner kicks, provided there is clear evidence of a referee error. With this, FIFA seeks to reduce controversies in decisions that have historically generated controversy in high-level tournaments.
With these four modifications, the 2026 World Cup will not only be the largest in number of participants, but also the tournament with the greatest regulatory innovations in recent years. FIFA seeks to ensure that the changes translate into more fluid matches and fewer interruptions ahead of a World Cup that will have the eyes of the entire world on it.