Overview
- AFA announced on Friday that it will apply the IFAB‑approved rule changes used at the 2026 World Cup across Argentine competitions for the 2026/27 season.
- The rollout is phased with the Liga Profesional starting the week of July 23 and lower divisions, reserves, youth and the women’s game beginning the week of July 30 while the Copa Argentina will have VAR from the round of 16.
- New time-management rules include a five‑second countdown for throw-ins and goal kicks that hands possession to the opponent or awards a corner if ignored, a 10‑second limit for players to leave the field after a substitution is authorized, and a one‑minute rule before a player treated on the pitch may re-enter.
- AFA will adopt the so-called 'ley Prestianni' that allows a red card for players who cover their mouth to hide offensive remarks and will permit stricter sanctions for players or staff who leave the field in protest, a measure born from a high‑profile World Cup incident.
- Mandatory training for referees, captains and coaches is scheduled for mid‑July and AFA plans to introduce semi‑automatic offside technology in 2027 while warning that stadium cameras and systems must be upgraded for the tool to work reliably.