FIFA has announced new rules for the 2026 World Cup, aimed at reducing time-wasting and enhancing the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology. The changes were presented by Pierluigi Collina, chairman of FIFA's Referees Committee, during a press conference on June 7, 2026.
Key modifications include stricter penalties for goalkeepers holding the ball for more than eight seconds, with referees awarding an indirect free kick to the opposing team. Additionally, VAR will be used more proactively to review potential red-card incidents and penalty decisions, with a focus on minimizing delays.
These updates are part of the 2026-2027 Laws of the Game, approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in March 2026. Teams were briefed on the changes ahead of the tournament, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Collina emphasized that the goal is to improve fair play and match flow, stating, 'We want to protect the game from unfair tactics that waste time.' The new rules will take effect from the start of the World Cup on June 11, 2026.
