New rules for 2026 World Cup: VAR expanded powers, 10-second substitutions and red cards for mouth covering

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has approved a raft of rule changes for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including expanded powers for the Video Assistant Referee, a mandatory ten-second exit for substituted players, and red cards for players who cover their mouths during confrontational situations.

The changes, announced ahead of this summer's tournament being hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, are designed to make the game faster, fairer and more consistent. The tournament kicks off on Wednesday, 11th June 2026.

FIFA's chief refereeing officer, Pierluigi Collina, confirmed that the new rules would be enforced strictly, with particular focus on clamping down on time-wasting, tactical injuries, and protest behaviour that has increasingly plagued the modern game.

Below is a list of the new rules for the 2026 FIFA World Cup:

1. Five-second countdown for throw-ins and goal-kicks

Referees will now use a visible five-second countdown for throw-ins and goal-kicks. If a throw-in is not taken before the countdown expires, possession will be awarded to the opposition. If a goal-kick is delayed beyond the countdown, the opposing side will receive a corner kick.

2. Ten-second substitution exit

Players being substituted must leave the pitch within ten seconds after the substitution board has been shown. They must exit using the nearest point on the boundary line. If a player fails to leave within the time limit, their replacement will only be allowed onto the pitch at the first stoppage after one minute has elapsed following the restart.

3. Red card for covering mouth during confrontations

Players who cover their mouth with their hand, arm or shirt during confrontational situations will now receive a red card. However, players covering their mouths during friendly conversations with opposition players will not be punished. The rule follows recent high-profile incidents of alleged slurs being made while mouths were covered.

4. Red card for walking off the pitch in protest

Players who walk off the pitch in protest of a refereeing decision will be shown a red card. Teams causing matches to be abandoned will automatically forfeit the game. The same punishment will apply to team officials who encourage players to leave the field of play.

5. Expanded VAR powers

VAR will now be able to intervene for wrongly-awarded second yellow cards, mistaken identity incidents, and incorrectly-awarded corner kicks. Officials will also now be allowed to step in if a foul is committed before the ball is in play at a set-piece, such as an attacker blocking a defender before a corner is taken. If VAR identifies an offence before the restart, referees will be sent to the monitor for an on-field review.

6. One-minute off-field treatment for injured outfield players

Outfield players who receive treatment from medical staff on the pitch will now be required to remain off the field for at least one minute after play restarts. Exceptions will apply in cases involving goalkeeper injuries, collisions, head injuries, concussions, or situations where the injured player is due to take a penalty.

7. Three-minute hydration breaks

There will now be a mandatory three-minute hydration break in each half during every World Cup match, with referees given flexibility over when the stoppage takes place depending on injuries or the flow of the game.

8. Referees to prevent tactical injury timeouts

Although referees will have no formal sanctions at their disposal, Collina said referees would be "proactive" in preventing teams from unfairly taking advantage of injuries to hold team talks. "We will not allow the teams going to the benches when a goalkeeper is lying on the ground injured," he said. "The goalkeeper has the right to be injured, but the players do not have the right to leave the field of play to have some sort of time out with their respective coaches."

9. Body cameras for referees

Referees have been granted permission to use body cameras during matches as part of the updated Laws of the Game.

10. Non-dangerous wearable items permitted

Some non-dangerous items may now be worn if properly covered, subject to the referee's discretion.

Speaking about the expanded VAR protocol, Collina explained that the time had come to reconsider the original protocol which was written when there was very limited experience with the technology. "We started using VAR in FIFA competitions in 2017. So we think it is the time to reconsider the protocol," he said.

Organisers hope the new rules will boost fairness, speed up play, and enhance the experience for both players and fans when the World Cup kicks off on 11th June 2026.