The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has approved a series of major changes for the 2026 World Cup aimed at reducing time-wasting, minimizing controversies with referees, and enhancing the fan experience.
Báo Xây dựng•02/06/2026
FIFA's head of refereeing, Pierluigi Collina, said the adjustments approved by the IFAB will focus on four main goals: combating discrimination, reducing wasted time, improving the relationship between players and referees, and optimizing the use of VAR technology.
For many years, FIFA and IFAB have been grappling with the problem of time-wasting. Matches are often fragmented by players faking injuries, diving, or deliberately slowing down the process of getting the ball back into play.
The 2026 World Cup will crack down on time-wasting by players.
To address this issue, the IFAB has introduced a series of drastic measures and will implement them immediately at the 2026 World Cup.
Firstly, the rule stipulates that goalkeepers can only hold the ball for a maximum of 8 seconds. In the final 5 seconds, the referee will perform a hand countdown so that all players are aware. If the goalkeeper violates this rule, the opposing team will be awarded a corner kick instead of an indirect free kick as before.
The second change concerns throw-ins. If a team deliberately wastes time, the referee has the right to award the throw-in to the opposing team.
Thirdly, goal kicks will also be monitored more closely to prevent goalkeepers or defenders from deliberately delaying the game.
Next, the rule states that players must leave the field within 10 seconds of the referee allowing a substitution. If a player deliberately delays or wastes time, the substitute will have to wait an additional 60 seconds before being allowed to play.
The final rule aims to curb time-wasting related to medical care. Specifically, players receiving assistance from the medical team will have to leave the field for a certain period of time before being allowed to return to play.
Covering your mouth during an argument may result in a red card.
Another change concerns the practice of covering mouths during arguments. For many years, a significant number of players have habitually used their hands, arms, or shirts to cover their mouths when speaking with teammates or opponents to avoid having their conversations recorded by cameras. FIFA believes this behavior is particularly inappropriate in tense confrontational situations.
Under the new rules, referees have the right to issue a red card to a player who covers their mouth during an argument with an opponent. The final decision will depend on the on-field referee's assessment.
Excessive reactions to referee decisions will also be dealt with more severely. If a player leaves the field in protest against a match decision, the referee may send them off.
The team that causes the match to be suspended due to collective protest may also be handed a loss.
At the 2026 World Cup, VAR will be given more power to intervene in cases of incorrect identification of players receiving yellow cards, situations involving red cards arising from a second yellow card, or clear decisions that directly affect the match.
In addition, VAR will also be more involved in determining which team had the last touch in certain controversial situations leading to corner kicks or goal kicks.
Finally, FIFA continues to implement water breaks in extreme weather conditions. These breaks typically take place around the 22nd minute of each half, but the exact timing may vary depending on the circumstances.
![[Image] Shipbuilders exposed to steel and record-breaking heat.](https://vphoto.vietnam.vn/thumb/1200x675/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2026/06/04/1780545781745_ndo_br_img-5402-4683-jpg.webp)
![[Video] Sunset at Lap An Lagoon – Where the sun sets over the fishing nets](https://vphoto.vietnam.vn/thumb/1200x675/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2026/05/31/1780192137701_beach-landscape-sea-water-nature-grass-745871-pxhere-com.jpeg)
Comment (0)