The Confirmed New Regulations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is due to be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico, will be historic not only due to its unparalleled scale and duration.
For the first time, the world's most popular sporting event will include 48 teams, up from 32 in the tournaments between 1998 and 2022. This alteration increases the total number of matches from 64 to 104 and adds a new round of 32, positioned between the group stage and the round of 16.
Nevertheless, the adjustments do not end there. The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has introduced a number of revisions to the rulebook for this competition. These updates tackle longstanding gaps and also respond to disputes that emerged during the 2025-26 campaign. Below are the new regulations that spectators can anticipate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
VAR Changes, More Interventions?
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system will be allowed to intervene in new scenarios during the 2026 World Cup. These include:
1. Incorrectly Allocated Corner Kicks
VAR can now review corner decisions, but it cannot delay the restart of the game to do so, meaning there will be no additional pauses in play.
2. Offensive Fouls Committed Before Play Starts or While the Ball is in Play
This change addresses incidents such as goals, penalties, corners, and free kicks, allowing VAR to penalise fouls before the ball is live. This rule comes in response to recent controversies surrounding set-piece tactics popularised by teams like Arsenal in the Premier League, where blocks, pushes, and shoves often went unpunished due to the ball not being in play.
3. Mistaken Player Identity
VAR will intervene if a referee mistakenly shows a yellow or red card to the wrong player.
4. Incorrect Second Yellow Cards Leading to Send-Offs
VAR can now step in if a player is incorrectly shown a second yellow card, leading to an unjust sending-off. Previously, VAR could only intervene for direct red cards.
The Prestianni Regulation
Players who cover their mouths with a hand, arm, or shirt during a confrontation with an opponent may now be shown a red card. This rule change stems from the recent controversy involving Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior and Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni, the latter of whom was accused of racially abusing the Brazilian during their UEFA Champions League knockout stage encounter. Prestianni covered his mouth while speaking to Vinicius Junior, and although he received a ban for a separate issue, the racism allegation ultimately could not be substantiated.
It is important to note that this rule only takes effect during a confrontation. It does not apply when teammates, whether from the same national team or club, cover their mouths while conversing.
10 Second Substitutions and 5 Second Restarts to Curb Time Wasting
Substituted players will now have only 10 seconds to exit the pitch at the nearest point of exit during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. If a player whose number is displayed fails to leave the pitch within those 10 seconds, the player coming on will not be permitted to enter the field for at least one minute or until the next stoppage in play, leaving the penalised team temporarily a man down.
Referees may also initiate a five-second countdown if a team takes too long to take a throw-in or a goal kick. If the ball is not in play by the end of the countdown, possession will be reversed, awarding a throw-in to the opposition if it is a throw-in or a corner kick if it is a goal kick.
Addressing Time Wasting Through Injuries
Outfield players treated by medics must leave the pitch for one minute. There are exceptions to this rule for goalkeeper injuries, severe injuries, and collisions.
Players are prohibited from going to the technical area while the goalkeeper is being treated. In a move to curb tactical timeouts, outfield players are now prohibited from going to the technical area and, by extension, from receiving advice and coaching from the manager. The logic is that if the outfield players cannot receive mid-game coaching, then goalkeepers will be disincentivised to feign injuries.
Two Hydration Stoppages per Half
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will include two hydration pauses per match, one per half, each lasting three minutes. These pauses will take place at the 22nd and 67th minutes of the game.