The International Football Federation (FIFA) and the International Football Association Board (IFAB) have agreed to implement a new Video Assistant Referee (VAR) rule for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, aimed at curbing interference during set pieces. The rule specifically aims to prevent blocking or 'blocking' during the execution of free kicks and corners. The new regulation will allow VAR to intervene if blocking occurs during movements preceding a shot, even before the ball is in play, or if a foul is identified before a corner or free kick is taken. Officials said the new rule is inspired by basketball laws, seeking to address disruptive actions that occur off the ball.
VAR Interventions Expanded
If a defender is prevented from defending due to a foul committed before a kick, any subsequent goal will be disallowed, even if the ball was not yet in play at the time of the foul, according to reports. This means if a defender is denied a chance to defend due to a foul committed before the kick, the goal will be disallowed, regardless of whether the ball was in play at the time of the foul. This expansion marks the seventh distinct situation in which the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) can intervene during a match. Reports indicated that VAR can also now correct cases of mistaken identity, addressing instances where the wrong player is sanctioned. VAR can intervene to overturn wrongly awarded second yellow cards if they are determined to be a clear refereeing error. Corners will also be disallowed if a quick review in the VAR room reveals that the decision to award the corner was clearly incorrect. The new regulation will be applied starting from the upcoming World Cup and will extend to all competitions thereafter, beginning July 1. Additionally, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) has banned tactical timeouts where a goalkeeper receives treatment and players consult managers on the bench, according to reports.
New Rules for Player Conduct
Players who cover their mouths with a hand or shirt during an aggressive moment will automatically receive a red card, according to reports. Red cards will also be issued to any players who walk off the field to protest a referee's decision. Managers will similarly be shown red cards if they are found to be encouraging players to leave the pitch. Teams that cause a match to be abandoned will automatically forfeit the game.
Medical treatment rules have also changed, with players receiving on-field care now required to leave the pitch for at least one minute, a rule which does not apply to goalkeepers. The new regulations will require teams that rely heavily on tactical plays and physical contact inside the penalty area to exercise greater caution during corners and set pieces. This increased scrutiny aims to ensure fair play and reduce illicit advantages gained through physical interference.
Streamlining Game Restarts
Referees will implement visible five-second countdowns for throw-ins and goal kicks, according to reports. If play has not been restarted within this five-second window, possession will be awarded to the opposition. This measure is designed to reduce time-wasting and keep the game flowing. Players notified of substitution will now have 10 seconds to exit the pitch by the nearest sideline. Should an exiting player take too long, the incoming player will not be permitted to join the game at the first natural stoppage after one minute of play, further emphasizing the importance of swift transitions.
Each half of play at the World Cup will also incorporate a three-minute hydration break, allowing players to rehydrate and coaches to briefly confer. FIFA refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina specifically noted England as a "guilty party" for fouls committed before a restart. "We try to solve this and let’s see what can be next," Collina stated, addressing the issue of pre-restart infringements and emphasizing FIFA's commitment to addressing these tactical fouls.
