The Federation International Football Association (FIFA) has officially unveiled a series of new regulations set to take effect at the 2026 World Cup.

Released on Monday, March 30 th, 2026, the most notable adjustment introduces a 10-second limit for substitutions.

Players being replaced must exit the field within this time frame, failure to comply means their replacement will have to wait one full minute before entering, temporarily leaving the team a player short.

For the cases of delays, FIFA will enforce time control on restarts, applying a five-second timer for both throw-ins and goal kicks.

“Any team exceeding this limit will lose possession a significant deterrent against intentional slowing down of play,” FIFA stated.

Medical stoppages are another focus of reform, players receiving treatment on the field will now be required to leave the pitch for at least one minute before rejoining the game, unless the injury resulted from a foul worthy of a card. FIFA says this ensures fair play while maintaining the flow of matches.

In terms of officiating, VAR technology will expand its scope, referees will now be able to review second yellow cards that lead to a dismissal, as well as wrongly awarded corners, addressing two areas that have frequently triggered controversy in recent tournaments.

Lastly, FIFA has reinforced the rule that only team captains are allowed to approach referees.

“Any other player who crowds or argues with the match official risks receiving a yellow card,” FIFA said.

However, FIFA stated that these adjustments follow extensive testing in lower competitions and are designed to bring “greater fairness, flow, and respect” to the game at football’s biggest event.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be the first edition to feature 48 teams and now, potentially, a faster and more disciplined style of play.