The 140th Annual General Assembly of IFAB, recently held in Wales, has marked a turning point in the administration of global football. Under the premise that real playing time is non-negotiable, the body has approved a package of measures designed to eradicate deliberate delays and protect the fluidity of the game. 1. Countdown on goal kicks and throw-ins. The principle of the '8-second rule' for goalkeepers is extended to restarts from the touchlines. If the referee detects a deliberate delay, they will start a visual 5-second countdown. Sanction: If the ball is not in play at the end of the countdown, possession will be awarded to the opposing team (on throw-ins) or a corner kick will be conceded. 2. Substitutions with a time limit. To put an end to slow walks to the bench, the substituted player will have a maximum of 10 seconds to leave the field once the change is authorized. Consequence: If they exceed the time, the substitute cannot enter immediately; they must wait for a natural stoppage in play after one minute of elapsed time. 3. These regulations will come into effect on July 1, 2026, just in time for the start of the World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Unlike previous reforms that altered the technical essence, this set of rules aims to give referees operational tools to combat tactical interruptions. Clarification on restarts (Ball in play). Rule 8 specifies that after a stoppage, the ball will be thrown in to the team that had possession or would have retained it had the game not been stopped, eliminating gray areas of interpretation. 9. Discipline and the application of advantage. In situations where a clear goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO) is denied, if the referee applies the advantage and the play results in a goal, no yellow card will be shown to the infringer, as the ultimate objective (the goal) was not frustrated. Cases under review and future technology. IFAB has also focused on modern unsporting behaviors. Teams can agree before the match on a maximum of up to eleven substitutions. 6. Injured player must leave the field. To discourage tactical simulations, any player who is treated on the field for an injury that stops play must remain off the field for one effective minute after the match has resumed. 4. Evolution of VAR. The video assistance protocol is expanded to specific situations where the injustice is clear: Review of second yellow cards that clearly lead to a red card. Correction of mistaken identity in cautions or send-offs. Review of incorrectly awarded corner kicks, provided it is done immediately and does not affect the restart. 5. Implementation of body cameras. The use of cameras on the chest or head of referees is authorized as a competition option. 7. Player equipment and safety. Rule 4 is relaxed to allow the use of non-dangerous objects (such as protectors or specific accessories), as long as they are securely covered and do not pose a risk to competitors. 8. Accidental 'double touch' in penalties. Following high-profile incidents, it is clarified that if a taker accidentally touches the ball a second time (e.g., by slipping), the action will not be voided or punished with an indirect free kick, with the goal standing if the ball enters the net. 10. The objective is twofold: to increase transparency in decision-making and to provide educational and safety material.
