The International Football Association Board (IFAB) approved changes to the Laws of the Game that will take effect from the 2026-27 season and at the 2026 FIFA World Cup starting June 11 in the United States, Mexico, and Canada [1, 2].
The new rules include a red card for players who cover their mouths with their hand, arm, or shirt in confrontational situations. This measure follows an incident where Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni directed discriminatory slurs at Vinicius Jr. Prestianni received a six-game suspension as a result [1, 2]. However, players covering their mouths during friendly conversations with opposing teammates will not be penalized [1, 2].
Another change imposes a red card on players who leave the field to protest referees’ decisions. Team officials who incite players to leave the pitch will also face penalties [1, 2]. Teams causing matches to be abandoned will forfeit the game, a rule introduced after Senegal left the field in protest during the Africa Cup of Nations final [1, 2].
To reduce time-wasting, referees will signal a five-second visual countdown for throw-ins and goal-kicks by raising a hand. Failure to act within this window results in the ball being awarded to the opposing team: a throw-in if the ball is not in play after the countdown or a corner kick if a goal-kick is not taken in time [1, 2].
Substitution procedures have also changed. Players now have 10 seconds to leave the field after a substitution board is shown and must exit at the nearest boundary point. If they fail to leave in time, the substitute cannot enter until the next stoppage and referee signal, except in cases of injury or safety concerns [1, 2].
Pierluigi Collina, FIFA's Chief Refereeing Officer, said, "The IFAB approved a set of landmark changes to the Laws of the Game and the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the first major tournament to use them. These amendments aim to tackle discrimination, cut time-wasting, enhance match tempo and improve both the player and fan experience" [1].
The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off June 11 across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, where these law changes will be applied for the first time in a major tournament [1, 2].