🚨 More power for VAR? Several rule changes from the World Cup

World football is experiencing a true revolution in its rules. As the International Football Association Board (IFAB) officially decided today, a total of six rules will be changed in the future. The rule changes are set to take effect for the first time at the 2026 World Cup and will primarily grant even more rights to the VAR.

1. Time Rule Now Also for Goal Kicks and Throw-ins

The eight-second rule has so far applied to goalkeepers’ goal kicks and throws – including the referee publicly counting down the last five seconds.

In the future, this principle will also be extended to goal kick and throw-in situations. When the countdown begins will be at the discretion of the referee.

If a goal kick is delayed for too long, the opposing team – as is already the case with goal kicks or throws – will be awarded a corner kick. If time-wasting occurs during a throw-in, the ball goes to the opponent.

2. Time Limit for Substitutions

Starting next season, substituted players will have only ten seconds to leave the field after the substitution is announced.

If a player does not comply, the intended substitute may only enter the field at the next stoppage in play.

3. Treated Players Must Stay Off for One Minute

Injured outfield players should continue to be treated off the field to keep stoppages as short as possible.

What’s new: After leaving the pitch, a player must wait at least one minute before returning, regardless of the length of treatment.

The rule-makers want to prevent treatments from being deliberately used to waste time – while also ensuring that players can receive treatment without time pressure.

4. VAR May Correct Yellow-Red Cards

In the future, the VAR may intervene if the second caution before a yellow-red card was clearly and obviously incorrect.

If a yellow-red card is not shown at all, the rule remains: the VAR is still not allowed to intervene in this case.

5. VAR Can Correct Incorrect Corner Decisions

Clearly incorrect decisions regarding corner kicks may now be corrected – but only if the error is recognized immediately and can be rectified without significant delay.

The VAR is therefore not supposed to review every corner kick in detail.

6. More VAR Powers in Cases of Player Mix-Ups

Up to now, the VAR could intervene if a player was mistaken for another when a personal penalty was given – but only within the same team.

In the future, the VAR may also intervene if a player from the wrong team is mistakenly sanctioned.

What do you think of the rule changes? Feel free to share your opinion in the comments.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.