When can an injured player come back on, and what is my part in it?

Under the 2026/27 Off-field treatment and assessment protocol (Law 5), an outfield player must leave the field and stay off until one minute (running clock) after play restarts if play was stopped for their injury, the referee called the medical staff on, or the player asked for on-field attention.

• The player may return only with the referee's permission: from the touchline if the ball is in play, or from any boundary line if it is out of play.
• If the half ends before the minute is up, the player may return at the start of the next period.

The fourth official's Law 6 duties include supervising the re-entry of a player after a signal or approval from the referee.

Exceptions (the player need not leave): an injured goalkeeper; a goalkeeper and outfield player collision; team-mates colliding; a severe injury such as a head injury, cardiac issue or seizure; an injury from a foul for which the opponent is cautioned or sent off; or when the injured player will take an awarded penalty kick.