New arbitration rules for the 2026 World Cup: agility and discipline on the field

Pierluigi Collina, president of the FIFA Referees' Committee, presents innovative measures to ensure a more fluid and disciplined game at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The focus is on eliminating interruptions and penalizing unsportsmanlike behavior.

Measures to expedite the game

Collina emphasizes the importance of reducing interruptions in the match, applying rules such as the 5-second rule for throw-ins and goal kicks. Additionally, covering the mouth to speak during a confrontation will be punished with a red card.

Discipline and efficiency

The aim is to minimize protests against refereeing decisions and speed up substitutions by establishing a 10-second limit to leave the field. Medical attention to injured players is also regulated to favor a proper assessment before their return to play.

Improvements in VAR protocol

The VAR will be able to intervene in key decisions such as correcting incorrect second yellows or mistaken identities. Its scope of action is expanded to ensure fairer and quicker decisions for the benefit of the game.

Hydration breaks and adaptability

Hydration breaks will be implemented when meteorological conditions require, prioritizing players' health. These measures aim to enhance the football experience and promote a more dynamic and just game in the 2026 World Cup.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Nuevas reglas de arbitraje para el Mundial 2026: agilidad y disciplina en el campo