FIFA Eyes Game-Changing Rule Overhaul That Could Transform 2026 World Cup

Football's governing bodies are reportedly contemplating expanding the authority of video assistant referees (VAR), a development that would place the sport's most controversial officials under even greater examination.

Following VAR's introduction before the 2018 World Cup, it was assigned the deliberately ambiguous mandate of addressing only "clear and obvious" mistakes concerning:

According to IFAB, the International Football Association Board, VAR is prohibited from intervening in second yellow card incidents that result in dismissals. The organization's advisory committee explored the possibility of modifying this during a routine assessment meeting this week,

Whether this recommendation will move beyond theoretical discussion and be implemented at this summer's World Cup remains uncertain. A formal proposal is anticipated to be presented before IFAB's Annual Business Meeting in January.

Requests to include second yellow cards within VAR's jurisdiction have been submitted since the technology's launch, according to reports. Nevertheless, Premier League referees chief Howard Webb maintained a careful stance when addressing the possibility earlier this season.

"The guidance we receive is 'less is more' regarding VAR, and we've succeeded in matching our implementation with that expectation," Webb stated to BBC Sport. "If the sport, or those involved, indicate that increased usage would benefit the game, then naturally I'd be receptive—but we must carefully consider the implications, the cascading effects.

"When discussing yellow cards that are incorrectly awarded, which could significantly affect the match, you must also consider wrongly withheld yellow cards.

"I comprehend the impact of an incorrectly awarded corner that's obviously wrong—simple to identify on replay—and the effect of an improperly issued yellow card. However, there's also a sentiment that VAR already functions to correct obvious errors in crucial moments, so we'll engage in those conversations and ensure consultation with the English game as well."

Campaign Against Time-Wasting Continues

IFAB has been combating football's decelerating match tempo for years. Prior to the 2025–26 season, the sport's regulators implemented a timing mechanism to ensure goalkeepers could only possess the ball for eight seconds. Officials have been instructed to provide a visual five-second warning by lowering a raised hand.

Burnley's Martin Dúbravka became the inaugural player in Premier League history to be timed out during an opening weekend loss to Tottenham Hotspur, though the regulation has rarely been enforced in England's premier division since. Despite this, IFAB reports this rule modification has garnered "positive worldwide response" and are contemplating extending countdowns to additional game elements.

Goal kicks and throw-ins may potentially operate under timed conditions in the coming period.

Throw-ins have attracted particular attention in England's top division this season. The significance of this restart situation has grown over the summer, with teams increasingly prepared to not only launch the ball directly into the opposing penalty area whenever possible, but invest considerable time organizing these tactical moments.

Brentford, the Premier League's primary practitioners of the long-throw as Liverpool recently experienced, have consumed over 70 combined minutes organizing throw-ins throughout the opening nine matches of the current campaign. The Bees exemplify an extreme case, but an average Premier League team requires more than 17 seconds to arrange each throw-in.

The prospect of a countdown mechanism could reduce that duration, at least initially following its implementation.