Here’s all the new World Cup rules – and why they’ll bring absolute chaos

Football fans are in for a dramatic summer

That is because there have also been a few rule alterations which will make a huge difference in this year’s World Cup.

The International Football Association Board - which is the international self-regulatory body of association football that is known for determining the Laws of the Game and the regulations for the gameplay of football - have made a number of rule changes ahead of the opening game between Mexico and South Africa.

And if they are successfully implemented, it may become commonplace next season.

According to FIFA, the changes will be implemented at the 2026 World Cup and are intended to improve match flow and protect effective playing time.

For the fans, this means that they could see referees counting down restarts and substitutes being delayed if players leave too slowly.

Meanwhile, injured players will spend more time off the field and VAR will step in on a few more types of decisions.

Punishment for teams that take too long on goal kicks or throw-ins

Goal kicks and throw-ins can trigger a countdown, and if the referee believes a team is delaying a goal kick or throw-in, they will whistle and begin a visible five-second countdown with a raised hand.

Meanwhile, the throw-in goes to the opposing team if a throw-in is not taken by the end of the countdown.

Most recently, Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique complained that Arsenal players were time-wasting during throw-ins in the Champions League final in Budapest.

Much like throw-ins, the opposing team will get a corner kick if a goal kick is not taken by the end of the countdown.

If a goalkeeper or defender is slow to restart play near the end of a close match, that could create some truly chaotic moments in matches.

A countdown for substitutes

Players who are substituted will also be watched more closely, as they have 10 seconds to leave.

Unless there is a safety, security or injury reason, a player being substituted must leave the field within 10 seconds of the substitution board being shown.

The player still has to come off if he does not leave in time, but the substitute cannot immediately enter the match.

The substitute instead has to wait until the first stoppage after one minute of play has elapsed.

To make things more simple, if a team is trying to waste time with a slow substitution it could briefly leave itself with 10 players on the pitch.

If players are injured, they may have to stay off longer

A player who is treated or assessed on the field, except in certain situations, must leave and can only re-enter one minute after play restarts.

However, there are exceptions, which includes injured goalkeepers or cases where a player is injured by a physical offense that results in a yellow or red card.

This rule change is meant to reduce delays and discourage tactical injury stoppages.

A wider role for VAR

While VAR (video assistant referee) will not review every decision on the pitch, its role is still expanding.

For example, VAR may review a red card that results from a clearly wrong second yellow card, under the new rules.

It may also review cases of mistaken identity when the wrong player is shown a yellow or red card.

What is more, competitions also have the option to allow VAR to review a clearly incorrect corner kick.

However, this can happen only if the decision can be corrected immediately and without delaying the restart.

That last part matters as this is not a full review of every corner or every yellow card, but it is a limited expansion.

A potential punishment for mouth covering

Depending on the competition rules, players who cover their mouths during confrontational situations with opponents may also face punishment.

This change is aimed at confrontational moments where players cover their mouths while speaking to opponents, as this makes it harder for officials or investigators to determine what was said.

That conduct could be punished with a red card, at the discretion of the competition organiser.

A potential punishment for walking off in protest

Depending on competition rules, players who leave the field to protest a referee’s decision may also face serious discipline.

Meanwhile, team officials who encourage players to leave the field can also be sanctioned.

If a team causes a match to be abandoned, it would normally forfeit the match.

This happened recently in the Africa Cup of Nations, where Senegal players left the pitch in protest in the final against Morocco.

Morocco was officially crowned the 2025 AFCON champions after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeal Board retroactively overturned the tournament results, stripping Senegal of the title.

Morocco was awarded a 3-0 forfeit victory following the controversial walk-off by the Senegalese team.

A change in rules for jewellery and accessories

The rules around player equipment are also being adjusted, as accessories such as bracelets, wedding bands and small earrings can be allowed, provided they are not dangerous and are safely and securely covered.

That said, dangerous items still have to be removed.

Body cams usage for the refs

Competitions may also allow referees, assistant referees and fourth officials to wear body cameras.

According to IFAB, competition organisers would have to supply the cameras and control the footage.

The footage and sound could be used for disciplinary matters, but VAR communication cannot be broadcast.

What the changes mean for the fans – whether at the stadium or at home

The countdowns are probably the most noticeable changes that fans will notice.

Fans get something clear to watch in a five-second countdown on a delayed goal kick or throw-in, and the punishment is immediate.

A slow throw-in can become the other team’s throw, while a delayed goal kick can become a corner.

Drama late in matches could also happen as a result of the substitution rule, if a player walks off too slowly and the replacement is forced to wait.

While the changes may get the most attention, they are still narrow, as VAR is gaining a few more tools but not unlimited power to re-officiate the match.

Fans should expect some of these changes to be explained often during broadcasts, especially the first time a restart countdown, substitution delay or expanded VAR review affects a match.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins June 11 (Thursday) and will be played across the United States, Canada and Mexico.