Rabat – Football’s lawmakers have approved new measures to cut down on time-wasting and broaden the use of VAR.
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) confirmed the changes at its annual meeting near Cardiff, with the new rules set to take effect from July 1.
Tournaments starting before that date, including the World Cup 2026 in June, may also adopt them.
🚩 IFAB have approved some laws of the game changes in football:
🔸 VAR for corners and 2nd yellows.
🔸 5-second countdown on throws and goal-kicks.
🔸 10-second countdown on subs.
🔸 Wenger’s “daylight” offside rule will be trialled in Canada from April.The changes will apply… pic.twitter.com/CbqOWbUAWF
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) March 1, 2026
Time limits on restarts and substitutions
Throw-ins and goal kicks will now face a five‑second countdown if referees believe players are deliberately delaying. If the time is exceeded, throw-ins will be awarded to the opponent, while goal kicks will be turned into corners.
Substitutions must be completed within 10 seconds. If a player fails to leave the pitch in time, his replacement will only be allowed to enter after the next stoppage, following a one‑minute delay. This leaves the team temporarily short of players.
These steps follow last year’s rule limiting goalkeepers to eight seconds when holding the ball. That change, first tested at the Club World Cup, was seen as effective in discouraging delays.
Players who need treatment must remain off the pitch for 60 seconds before returning. Exceptions apply to goalkeepers and to injuries caused by fouls that result in a booking. FIFA has trialed longer two‑minute absences at the Arab Cup, while the Premier League has used a shorter 30‑second rule since 2024.
The scope of VAR will also grow. Officials can now review red cards issued after a wrongly given second yellow, correct cases of mistaken identity when cards are shown, and overturn corners awarded in error if clear evidence is available.
Why these changes matter
Throw-ins have become a particular source of frustration, with long delays often disrupting play for half a minute or more. IFAB hopes the countdown system will speed up restarts and keep the ball in play longer.
The injury rule is designed to prevent players from using treatment breaks as a tactic to waste time.
The meeting at Hensol Castle, attended by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, reflects a wider push to make matches more fluid and fair.
Read also: FIFA Considers Major Offside Rule Change to Boost Attacking Football
