2026 World Cup rule changes explained: VAR, mouth covering, five-second restarts, injured players and more...
By Ben McAleer
Published 08/06/2026 at 14:54 GMT+1
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The 2026 World Cup kicks off this week. Football's showpiece event runs from June 11 until July 19 as 48 teams battle for glory in North America.
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Co-hosts Mexico kick off the action when they face South Africa on Thursday evening before Canada get their campaign underway against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday.
In the early hours of Saturday morning (UK time), USA play their first game of the tournament when they take on Paraguay.
Reigning champions Argentina play the first match of their defence in the early hours of Wednesday morning, while England get their World Cup journey started against Croatia that same evening.
And the start of the competition brings about a new set of rules that teams, players and managers will need to adhere to.
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) will be able to review a number of on-field decisions, while there are new rules in place regarding injured players leaving the pitch and mouth-covering.
We explain the law changes that come into effect for the 2026 World Cup.
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VAR changes
The big one concerns the influence the VAR has over matches at the 2026 World Cup.
At present, there are three categories of decisions that can be reviewed: goal/no goal, penalty/no penalty, and direct red card.
However, there are a number of new incidents that can be reviewed by the VAR to go with the aforementioned three categories.
- An incorrectly awarded corner kick, but only if it doesn't delay the restart
We've seen a number of times in the past where the last touch comes off an attacking player, and a corner is incorrectly awarded.
In theory, this should now be eradicated at the World Cup, though the check will only take place provided it doesn't impact the game itself.
- Attacking fouls that occur before play is started
Previously, no foul would be allowed until the action restarts. However, the VAR will have greater power to suggest disciplinary action when a restart has occurred in a goal, penalty, corner or free kick.
So, for example, Tottenham Hotspur could have been awarded a penalty after Micky van de Ven was hauled to the ground by Marc Cucurella before Mathys Tel had taken a corner during their 2-1 loss at Chelsea last month.
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The VAR pitch-side monitor
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- A red card that is issued from an incorrect second yellow
The VAR can now intervene if a red card is awarded following an incorrect second yellow card.
- Mistaken identity
Finally, the VAR is able to step in when a yellow or red card is awarded for a foul committed by a different player.
Players can't cover their mouths
Whereas previously we've seen footballers covering their mouths to talk to team-mates, opponents or the referee, this will not be permitted at the 2026 World Cup.
This is in an effort to cut out any confrontation between players, and stems from a recent incident involving Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni and Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior in the UEFA Champions League.
However, if a player is covering their mouth and having a conversation that is deemed friendly, then no further action will be taken. Any hint of animosity, and it could result in a sending off.
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10-second substitutions
Subbed players must leave the pitch at the nearest point of exit, and within 10 seconds. Failure to do so, and the player coming on must wait a full minute before they can enter the field of play.
Japan recently benefitted from this new ruling against Iceland, as Isak Thorvaldsson was unable to come on.
The Samurai Blue scored in the time they had a numerical advantage, and went on to win 1-0.
Five-second restart
To help eliminate time-wasting, the referee will instigate a five-second countdown should the official feel a player is taking too long to take a throw-in or goal kick.
The referee will raise their hand to kick off the countdown, and if the ball isn't back in play by then, possession will be reversed.
If it's from a throw-in, then the throw-in will be reversed. From a goal kick, then a corner will be awarded to the opposition.
Injured players leaving the pitch
An outfield player who has been treated by a member of the medical staff must leave the pitch for one minute.
There are likely to be exceptions involving goalkeepers, serious injuries, or collisions, where the concussion protocol will come into play.
No tactical timeouts for goalkeeper injuries
As we've seen this past season, goalkeepers will go down, and stay down for longer as they receive treatment in order for managers to give longer team talks than permitted.
This will no longer be the case at the 2026 World Cup, where players will be told to stay put.
How effective this is, however, remains to be seen, as players won't face disciplinary action should they break this rule.
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Players who leave the pitch
Players who leave the pitch in protest over a decision will be shown a red card. The same applies to team members who encourage this behaviour.
Additionally, if a team leaves the pitch and forces the game to be abandoned, they will automatically forfeit the match.
Hydration breaks
There will be one three-minute hydration break per half, with player safety taken into account.
Given the soaring temperatures in North America, each three-minute break will take place around the midway stage of each half.
World Cup final half-time show
Half-time in the World Cup final is also likely to be extended from the traditional 15 minutes.
This is because World Cup showpiece at MetLife Stadium will include a Super Bowl-style half-time show as Madonna, Shakira and BTS co-host the event.
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