What changed in the Laws of the Game for 2026/27?

Q: What changed in the Laws of the Game for 2026/27?

The main IFAB changes for 2026/27 that fans will notice: Ten-second substitutions: a substituted player must be off within 10 seconds of the board going up, or the substitute must wait until the first stoppage after one minute of play (Law 3). Five-second countdowns: a team deliberately delaying a throw-in loses it to the opponents; delaying a goal kick gives the opponents a corner (Laws 15 and 16). One minute off for injuries: an outfield player treated or assessed on the field, or whose injury stops play, must leave and stay off for one minute after the restart, with exceptions such as goalkeepers, serious head injuries and injuries from a carded foul (Law 5). Fewer than seven players: a match cannot continue if a team is down to fewer than seven, and a team responsible for that will in principle forfeit the match (Laws 3 and 7). Advantage and DOGSO: no card for denying a goal-scoring opportunity if advantage is played and a goal is scored (Law 12). Accessories: non-dangerous items may be worn if safely and securely covered; dangerous items must be removed (Law 4). Penalties: an accidental double touch by the kicker means a retake if the ball goes in (Law 14). VAR may also review a red card from a clearly wrong second yellow, and mistaken identity for any card. Some new measures are competition options, such as a red card for covering the mouth while insulting an opponent, or for leaving the field in protest.

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The main IFAB changes for 2026/27 that fans will notice:

Ten-second substitutions: a substituted player must be off within 10 seconds of the board going up, or the substitute must wait until the first stoppage after one minute of play (Law 3).
Five-second countdowns: a team deliberately delaying a throw-in loses it to the opponents; delaying a goal kick gives the opponents a corner (Laws 15 and 16).
One minute off for injuries: an outfield player treated or assessed on the field, or whose injury stops play, must leave and stay off for one minute after the restart, with exceptions such as goalkeepers, serious head injuries and injuries from a carded foul (Law 5).
Fewer than seven players: a match cannot continue if a team is down to fewer than seven, and a team responsible for that will in principle forfeit the match (Laws 3 and 7).
Advantage and DOGSO: no card for denying a goal-scoring opportunity if advantage is played and a goal is scored (Law 12).
Accessories: non-dangerous items may be worn if safely and securely covered; dangerous items must be removed (Law 4).
Penalties: an accidental double touch by the kicker means a retake if the ball goes in (Law 14).
VAR may also review a red card from a clearly wrong second yellow, and mistaken identity for any card.

Some new measures are competition options, such as a red card for covering the mouth while insulting an opponent, or for leaving the field in protest.