Which edition of the Laws of the Game applies in 2027?

The IFAB's latest published edition is the Laws of the Game 2026/27, effective from 1 July 2026. This FAQ uses that edition.

Canada Soccer's referee page states that its 2026 national amateur competitions use the 2025-26 edition of the IFAB Laws of the Game, and under the Canada Soccer By-laws only The IFAB may issue and alter the Laws. Canada Soccer organizes soccer in Canada according to the Laws of the Game, and referees must apply them as the competition requires. Where your competition has not moved to the 2026/27 edition, the Law 5 and Law 6 points in this FAQ may differ in detail from the edition your competition uses.

Sources: IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27 (https://www.theifab.com/laws-of-the-game-documents/); Canada Soccer Referee Hub (https://canadasoccer.com/referee/); Canada Soccer Rules and Regulations, Regulation 1.3 (https://canadasoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/CS_2025_RR_FINAL_EN-1.pdf).