FIFA confirms new rules for 2026 World Cup to speed up play

FIFA and the International Football Association Board (IFAB) confirmed Thursday a series of rule modifications for the 2026 World Cup in North America, aimed at accelerating play and eliminating time-wasting tactics.

The changes represent a significant shift in how the sport will be governed during the tournament, which will also be the first World Cup to feature 48 teams instead of the traditional 32.

Among the five modifications, the most prominent concerns player substitutions. A player being replaced will have only 10 seconds to leave the field. If the departing player exceeds this time limit, the replacement must wait one minute before entering, leaving the team temporarily with 11 players instead of 12. This rule directly targets the common practice of slowing matches through prolonged exits and unnecessary interactions during substitutions.

Throw-ins and goal kicks face new time restrictions as well. Players will have a maximum of 5 seconds to execute these plays. Failure to comply results in loss of possession, eliminating the opportunity for teams to use these stoppages as moments to reset or disrupt the opposing team's rhythm.

According to officials, the regulations represent not minor adjustments but a fundamental change in the sport's logic. The 2026 World Cup will feature more controlled play, more measured pacing, and reduced opportunity for historical time-wasting tactics. The measures aim to ensure that the actual playing time more closely reflects the official match duration.

The rule changes were developed with the explicit goal of ending time-loss practices and increasing the real tempo of football. FIFA and IFAB emphasized that these modifications will apply throughout the tournament.