FIFA has shaken international football by officially implementing a series of rule changes that will begin to apply in the 2026 World Cup, a competition that will mark a turning point in the way the game is played. These measures, driven by IFAB, aim to eradicate deliberate delays and ensure greater effective playing time, in line with the demands of an increasingly dynamic spectacle. According to the Argentine News Agency, the focus is on ending the so-called 'tricks' that have historically slowed the pace of matches. If the rule is not complied with, the team will be penalized by playing with one less player for a minute until the substitute can enter. In turn, a five-second stopwatch is introduced for throw-ins and goal kicks, with sanctions that can result in a loss of possession or even a corner kick for the opponent. The regulation also toughens disciplinary criteria and expands the scope of VAR. The video refereeing system will be able to intervene in second yellow cards that lead to expulsion, as well as in erroneous decisions about corner kicks. Furthermore, only the captain will be authorized to dialogue with the referee, while any other player who protests will be automatically sanctioned. Among the key points, it is also established that footballers who receive medical attention on the field must remain off for at least one minute before re-entering, except in plays that involve disciplinary sanctions. With these measures, FIFA is betting on a fairer, more transparent, and fluid football, in a 2026 World Cup that promises to definitively change the logic of the game.
