From quick substitutions to VAR for yellow cards… / FIFA’s new rules are officially approved

FIFA has announced new rules for the 2026 World Cup, ranging from substitutions to second yellow cards.

In detail, for the most important football competition, the following rules have been set:

– Quick substitutions: the player being substituted has a maximum of 10 seconds to leave the field. If he takes longer, the incoming player must wait 1 minute before entering, temporarily leaving the team with 10 players.

– Time control for restarts: a 5-second timer will be applied for throw-ins and goal kicks. If this time is exceeded, possession will be awarded to the opposing team.

– Medical treatment off the field: a player receiving medical treatment on the pitch must leave it and wait 1 minute before returning, except in cases where the injury was caused by a foul punished with a yellow card.

– Expansion of VAR intervention: the VAR system will be able to review second yellow card incidents, as well as wrongly awarded corner kicks.

– Captains and referees: the rule is confirmed that only the team captain is allowed to approach the referee; other players risk a yellow card if they surround the official.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the 23rd edition of the men’s tournament, organized by FIFA. It will be held for the first time across three countries: Canada, Mexico, and the United States, from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

This will be the first edition to feature 48 teams, instead of the 32 that had been in place since 1998.

The final is expected to take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

“KORÇA BOOM”