LOS ANGELES — Referees at the 2026 FIFA World Cup are enforcing a series of new rules and procedures introduced to reduce time-wasting, improve match flow and expand the use of video technology, according to FIFA and the International Football Association Board (IFAB).
The changes, which took effect for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, have been visible during opening matches this month. FIFA officials said the measures are designed to ensure more effective playing time and allow referees to address incidents that previously fell outside the scope of review.
Among the most notable changes are stricter penalties for delays in restarting play. Referees can now initiate a visible five-second countdown if a team is judged to be deliberately delaying a throw-in or goal kick. Failure to restart within the allotted time can result in possession being awarded to the opposing team or, in the case of a delayed goal kick, a corner kick.
Tournament officials have also implemented a new substitution procedure. Players leaving the field after being substituted are required to exit within 10 seconds. If a player exceeds that limit, the replacement must wait until a later stoppage before entering, temporarily leaving the team with fewer players on the field.
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system has been expanded as well. Under the new protocol, VAR officials may review additional situations, including cases involving mistaken identity, disputed second yellow cards that lead to a dismissal and certain corner-kick decisions. FIFA said the changes are intended to reduce the likelihood of match-altering errors.
Referees are also using new technology during matches. Officials now wear head-mounted cameras that provide a first-person perspective for broadcasters and viewers. FIFA said the cameras are intended primarily as a broadcast enhancement, though they also offer insight into how referees view incidents on the field. The system was tested in previous FIFA competitions before being introduced at the World Cup.
Pierluigi Collina, chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, said before the tournament that the objective was to discourage tactics that interrupt play. “We don't want to punish players, but convince them not to waste time,” he said in comments published by FIFA-related outlets.
Additional measures include requirements for some treated players to remain off the field briefly before returning and stricter sanctions for certain forms of misconduct during confrontations. FIFA and IFAB said the rules were approved following consultations with referees, players and football associations.
As the tournament enters its second week, officials said the implementation of the new rules will continue to be monitored. FIFA has not announced any further changes and said referees have been instructed to apply the regulations consistently throughout the competition.
