FIFA approved new rules to increase game speed

The fight against deliberate time-wasting in football is intensifying. This was reported by Zamin.uz.

FIFA and IFAB have approved new rules ahead of the 2026 World Cup to increase the pace of the game and reduce stoppages. These rules were approved at IFAB's annual meeting on February 28 and may be implemented in the upcoming World Cup.

One of the most discussed changes is the restriction during substitutions. According to the new regulation, the substituted player must leave the field within 10 seconds after the board is raised or the referee signals.

If the player deliberately wastes time, the substitute will not be allowed to enter the game immediately and can only come onto the field at least one minute after the game has restarted. This change makes time-wasting a harmful decision for the team itself.

Another important update concerns medical assistance procedures. If a player is examined on the field or the game is stopped due to injury, the player must remain off the field for at least one minute after the game restarts.

This rule helps reduce cases of "injury time-wasting" used to artificially slow down the game. Referees are granted broad powers to control time.

If a team deliberately delays during a throw-in or goal kick, the referee will start a 5-second countdown. If the ball is not put into play within this time, the throw-in is awarded to the opposing team, and a delayed goal kick becomes a corner kick for the opposing team.

This emphasizes the importance of every second. There are also significant changes in the VAR system.

According to the new decision, if a clear and obvious error is identified, the video assistant referee can assist the referee in cases such as send-offs following a second yellow card, incorrectly awarded corner kicks, and wrongful punishment of players. This is expected to reduce the number of disputed incidents.

Overall, football is becoming faster and more calculated. Time-wasting, prolonging substitutions, or minor stoppages to break the pace will be costly.

This is good news for fans, as the game is moving towards more action and fair decisions. Source: One.uz.