Significant changes have been made to the substitution rules at the World Cup.

The international football community is planning historic changes in preparation for the 2026 World Cup. Zamin.uz reported on this.

The governing body has officially approved a new set of rules for the tournament. The main goal of these innovations is to speed up the game, save dead time, and give fans more enjoyment from the events happening on the field.

From now on, the substitution process will be strictly regulated. A ten-second time limit is set for a player leaving the field.

If this deadline passes, the incoming player will be delayed by one minute, and the team will play with one fewer player during that time. These measures serve to enhance game dynamics and preserve valuable time.

A new approach has also been introduced for returning the ball into play. A five-second timer is used when taking throw-ins and shooting on goal.

If the action is not performed within this time, the team loses possession of the ball and it is awarded to the opponent. This requires players to think strategically and act quickly.

When medical assistance is provided to an injured player, if the injury did not result from a foul, they must wait one minute before returning to the field. This rule was developed to ensure player safety and fairness.

Additionally, the video assistant referee system will review second yellow cards and incorrectly awarded corner kicks. This technology increases decision accuracy and reduces disputes.

Order has also been established in communication with the referee. Only the team captain may ask for clarification from the referee, while other players may be penalized with a yellow card.

All of this is aimed at making football intense, exciting, and fair. Source: One.uz