If there's one place to test football's newest ideas, it's the World Cup.
The 2022 tournament introduced fans to record amounts of added time. Four years later, FIFA and IFAB are bringing even more changes to the game's biggest stage. VAR will have expanded powers, time-wasting will be punished more strictly, and players will have to think twice before protesting against referees.
FootyRoom breaks down all 10 rule changes that could shape the 2026 World Cup.
VAR will review second yellow cards
One of the biggest changes concerns second yellow cards.
VAR will now be allowed to intervene if a player's second booking was clearly incorrect. A well-known example would be Pierre Kalulu's dismissal against Inter, when Alessandro Bastoni appeared to simulate contact.
However, VAR still won't recommend a yellow card if the referee simply missed one. So if a player commits an obvious bookable offence that should have resulted in a second caution, the video assistant cannot step in.
VAR will review corner-kick decisions
VAR will also be able to overturn corner kicks that were awarded incorrectly.
There is a catch, though.
If a team receives a corner by mistake, VAR can intervene before play restarts. But if the referee wrongly awards a goal kick instead of a corner, VAR will not get involved.
Some fear this could slow the game down, but IFAB insists reviews will only happen if they don't significantly delay the restart.
The official World Cup match balls will include tracking chips, allowing officials to determine more quickly whether the ball left the field. Identifying which player touched it last could still take a bit longer.
VAR can now punish fouls committed before restarts
This change might go unnoticed by many fans, but it's an important one.
Previously, if a player pushed or held an opponent moments before a corner kick and then scored from the resulting play, VAR could only review incidents that occurred after the ball had been put back into play.
That loophole has now been closed.
Time-wasting will be monitored more strictly
Goalkeepers already have eight seconds to release the ball after gaining possession, with referees counting down the final five seconds using raised fingers.
If the limit is exceeded, the opposing team is awarded a corner kick.
In practice, referees have often been more lenient. Last season, violations were only punished after goalkeepers held onto the ball for around 12 seconds.
At World Cup 2026, similar countdown procedures could be used in other situations, including throw-ins and goal kicks, if referees believe players are deliberately delaying the restart.
Substitutions will have to happen faster
FIFA and IFAB believe substitutions also affect the flow of the game.
Players leaving the field will now have 10 seconds to do so after their number appears on the substitution board.
If they fail to comply, their replacement will be forced to wait at least 60 seconds before entering the pitch, leaving the team temporarily down to 10 men.
Players must still exit using the nearest touchline.
Injured outfield players will spend more time off the pitch
If an outfield player receives medical treatment, they will be required to remain off the field for 60 seconds.
In the Premier League last season, the mandatory period was only 30 seconds.
The new approach is designed to reduce interruptions and discourage players from exaggerating injuries.
FIFA wants to prevent tactical time-outs
Goalkeepers remain exempt from the previous rule.
As a result, coaches have occasionally been accused of encouraging goalkeepers to stay down injured, allowing teams to gather near the bench for tactical instructions.
According to ESPN, players will now be asked to remain in their positions while goalkeepers receive treatment.
However, there are currently no sanctions if teammates ignore those instructions.
Players who walk off in protest can be sent off
Any player who deliberately leaves the pitch as a form of protest against the referee's decision will receive a red card.
The same applies to team officials who encourage players to do so.
If a team abandons a match entirely, it could face a forfeit defeat.
The rule was introduced following the controversial Africa Cup of Nations final.
Covering the mouth could result in a red card
Another new rule stems from a recent controversy involving Gianluca Prestianni and Vinicius Junior.
During a Champions League match, Prestianni appeared to say something while covering his mouth, leading Vinicius to accuse him of racist abuse.
Under the updated guidelines, players who cover their mouths with their hands, shirts or shoulders during confrontations may receive a straight red card.
Friendly conversations won't be punished, but players may decide that hiding their words simply isn't worth the risk.
Half-time in the World Cup final may last longer than 15 minutes
This change applies only to the final in New York.
Major sporting events in the United States traditionally feature elaborate half-time entertainment, and FIFA appears eager to embrace the concept.
Shakira, Madonna and BTS have all been linked with performances during the World Cup final.
Exactly how long those shows will last remains unclear, although organizers have reportedly tried to keep the interval within the standard 15-minute limit.
One more thing: cooling breaks are here to stay
Cooling breaks aren't new, but they will be mandatory throughout the 2026 World Cup.
According to Yahoo, they will take place even in covered stadiums.
Each half will include a three-minute pause, giving players a chance to rehydrate, coaches an opportunity to deliver instructions, and broadcasters extra advertising inventory.
Published by Patrick Jane
11.06.2026