IFAB announces new changes for professional football. What's new?

Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, new amendments and innovations to the Laws of the Game have been introduced with the aim of reducing time-wasting.

Details: According to official information from IFAB, a substituted player will now have 10 seconds to leave the field. Exceeding that time limit will result in a yellow card. Referees will also be able to begin a five-second countdown for throw-ins. If the throw-in is not taken in time, possession will be awarded to the opposing team.

If a member of a team's staff enters the field to provide treatment to an injured player, that player must remain off the pitch for one minute before being allowed to return.

In addition, players will no longer automatically receive a yellow card for certain fouls that deny a goalscoring opportunity if a goal is ultimately scored.

Reminder: Frustration is growing within the France national team and among those around it over its biggest star and captain ahead of the World Cup.