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IFAB Poised to Back One-Minute Injury Rule and Five-Second Restart Countdowns for 2026 World Cup

The package targets time-wasting with standardised treatment absences, stricter restart timing and limited new VAR checks.

Overview

  • Lawmakers are expected to approve the measures at Saturday's IFAB AGM in Wales, with formal effect from July 1 and potential early use at the World Cup.
  • Players who receive on-field treatment would be required to stay off for one minute, replacing varied domestic approaches such as the Premier League’s 30-second guideline.
  • Referees would be empowered to trigger a five-second countdown on throw-ins and placed goal kicks, with delays reversing a throw-in or awarding a corner for a goal kick.
  • A 10-second substitution limit is proposed, with teams that exceed it barred from introducing the substitute until the next stoppage, at least one minute later.
  • Targeted VAR updates would permit optional checks on corner awards, second-yellow red cards and cards shown to the wrong team, with quick corners not called back if a check is unfinished.