New Rules to Combat Time-Wasting Starting at the 2026 World Cup

New Measures to Prevent Time-Wasting in Football Announced for 2026 World Cup

The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the governing body responsible for the rules of football, announced on Saturday that new measures will be implemented starting at the 2026 World Cup to prevent players from wasting time during throw-ins, goal kicks, and fake injuries.

During its annual general meeting held in Wales, IFAB confirmed three main initiatives aimed at “accelerating the pace of matches and limiting time-wasting,” according to a statement from the organization.

One of the measures will penalize a player who deliberately delays taking a throw-in (which will be awarded to the opponent) or a goal kick (with a corner awarded to the opponent). Specifically, if the referee suspects such behavior, they will initiate a “visual countdown of five seconds,” after which the punishment will be enforced.

This rule is already applied when a goalkeeper holds onto the ball for too long.

Another announced initiative aims to limit instances of players feigning injury. If medical staff attend to a player, that player must leave the field and can only return one minute after play resumes.

Finally, a substituted player will have ten seconds to exit the pitch once the assistant referee signals the change. If this does not happen, the substitute must wait one minute at the sideline and then wait for the next stoppage in play to enter the game.

Additionally, IFAB has expanded the possibilities for using video assistant referee (VAR) technology, particularly in scenarios where there is uncertainty following a second yellow card for the same player or after a disputed corner.

There will also be ongoing discussions regarding two specific scenarios: when players “unilaterally decide to leave the pitch” to protest a refereeing decision, and when “players cover their mouths” during a verbal exchange.