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Canadian Premier League to Trial 'Daylight' Offside in 2026 Under FIFA Oversight

The pilot tests whether requiring clear space to call offside makes decisions simpler and gives attacks more room to play.

Overview

  • The Canadian Premier League, which confirmed the trial Tuesday, will use the new interpretation from Saturday’s season opener as the first pro test of the rule.
  • Under the 'daylight' standard, an attacker is onside if any scoring body part is level with or behind the second‑last defender, and offside only when a clear gap is visible.
  • FIFA will run the research and evaluation and, with Canada Soccer, will prepare referees, after IFAB approved the professional pilot in February.
  • The league will also launch Football Video Support that uses broadcast replays, gives each team two coach‑initiated review requests per match, and checks every goal for clear and obvious offences.
  • FIFA’s Arsène Wenger says the change aims to restore attacking advantage and speed up play, while European critics warn it tilts the field toward strikers and could force deeper defensive lines.