FIFA Announces New World Cup Rules: Players and Teams Heavily Penalized for Time-Wasting

The largest World Cup ever, featuring 48 participating nations, is set to be FIFA's flagship event, and as such, no stone is being left unturned to present the tournament in the best possible light. The World Cup in Canada, the United States, and Mexico will introduce new, striking rules designed to speed up the game. From now on, when a substitution occurs, the outgoing player must leave the field within ten seconds. Failure to do so will result in the incoming player having to wait a full minute, leaving the team temporarily a man (or more) down.

Throw-ins and goal kicks will also now be timed by the referees. Previously, only goalkeepers were timed if they held onto the ball longer than necessary after a save. Now, this timing will apply to all dead-ball situations. If the ball is not put back into play within five seconds, without a clear reason for the delay, possession will be awarded to the opposing team.

Another rule aims to minimize lengthy injury stoppages. Only if a player requires treatment after a foul that has been sanctioned with a card, may the injured player remain on the field and immediately resume play if possible. If the foul is not punished with a card, the injured player must step off the field and wait one minute before being allowed to re-enter the game.

All these measures are intended to eliminate unnecessary delays from football and accelerate the pace of play. FIFA has also critically reviewed the role of VAR, and at the World Cup, the video assistant referee will now be permitted to intervene in clear errors regarding second yellow cards and incorrectly awarded corners. The VAR can now overturn both these on-field decisions. Previously, VAR intervention was limited to direct red cards and was not allowed for incorrectly awarded corner kicks at all, but to make the game fairer at the World Cup, this has changed.