Countdowns, banning timeouts and VAR changes: New laws for World Cup announced — SkimNews
SkimNews Take
The new rules, by limiting player agency in managing game flow, centralize control with officials and VAR, potentially shifting the strategic emphasis from in-game adaptations to pre-match planning.
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- IFAB approved a suite of new rule changes for the 2026 World Cup, expanding VAR powers, allowing 10‑second substitution windows, and banning tactical timeouts.
- IFAB will issue red cards for players who cover their mouth during confrontations or who walk off the pitch in protest, while exempting friendly conversations.
- IFAB gave VAR authority to correct wrongly‑awarded second yellow cards, mistaken‑identity calls, and incorrect corner kicks, and to intervene on fouls before a set‑piece restart.
- FIFA’s chief refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina warned referees will be proactive in preventing teams from exploiting injuries, effectively ending tactical timeouts.
- IFAB introduced five‑second countdowns for throw‑ins and goal‑kicks and a mandatory one‑minute off‑field treatment period after injuries.
Why it matters: The 48 World Cup teams lose a legal loophole for time‑wasting, while referees gain expanded VAR authority and the power to issue red cards for protests, resulting in smoother matches and more reliable broadcast schedules.
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