When must an injured player leave the field, and when can I let play continue?

Question

Accepted Answer

Under Law 5 (2026/27):

Let play continue until the ball is out of play if a player is only slightly injured.
Stop play only if a player is seriously injured, and make sure the player is removed from the field. An injured player may not be treated on the field. Where an injury stops play or delays the restart, the player must leave the field and may re-enter only one minute after play has restarted (from the touchline if the ball is in play, from any boundary line if it is out of play).
Exceptions, where the player need not leave: a goalkeeper is injured; a goalkeeper and an outfield player have collided; players from the same team have collided; a severe injury has occurred; a player is injured by a physical offence for which the opponent is cautioned or sent off; a penalty kick has been awarded and the injured player will be the kicker.
A bleeding player must leave the field and may re-enter only on your signal, once you are satisfied the bleeding has stopped and there is no blood on the equipment.
If you decide to caution or send off an injured player who must leave for treatment, show the card before the player leaves.
If play was not stopped for another reason and the injury did not result from an offence, restart with a dropped ball.