IFAB announces major soccer rule changes ahead of 2026 World Cup: VAR for corners, 8-second goalkeeper rule, and mouth-covering ban
By
ESPN
Slow-proofed and worth the wait. Worth its weight in flour.
Summary
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has introduced significant rule changes to soccer ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the US, Mexico, and Canada, which will also be implemented in leagues worldwide next season. Key changes include: VAR reviews for corner kicks and goal kicks that lead to goals; a new rule preventing goalkeepers from holding the ball for more than eight seconds (resulting in a corner kick for the opposing team); red cards for players who cover their mouths to hide what they're saying to officials; automatic yellow cards for players who approach the referee aggressively; and a requirement for only the team captain to speak to the referee during disputes. Former Premier League referee Andy Davies provides expert analysis on how these changes will impact the game.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledThe new rules are designed to improve fairness, speed up the game, and address loopholes that players and teams have been exploiting.
The eight-second rule for goalkeepers is a significant change that will fundamentally alter how teams build from the back.
Requiring only the captain to speak to the referee is an attempt to reduce the mass confrontations we've seen around officials.
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