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- October 13, 202619°
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- October 13, 202619°
VAR rules change in the 2026 World Cup
Five new rules come into effect in the 2026 World Cup. VAR will now also be able to review corner kicks and second yellow cards.
The 2026 World Cup kicks off in North America with five important rule changes. Two VAR regulations stand out in the tournament, and the new rules are expected to affect the flow of matches and the accuracy of decisions.
The tournament is set to begin on June 11 with the opening match between Mexico and South Africa. The new rules will be applied for the first time in matches played in Canada, Mexico, and the USA.
Highlights
- Corner kicks will now be open to VAR review.
- A player's second yellow card can be checked by VAR.
- Goalkeepers' tactical time-wasting breaks will be limited.
- A countdown will be applied for kick-offs, throw-ins, and substitutions.
- Behaviors where players cover their mouths while talking can be penalized.
A new era for corner kicks
The first of the new regulations covers corner kicks, which VAR could not review in the past. This aims to more quickly monitor incorrect corner decisions and the resulting situations.
However, the review can only be done while the game is stopped, not after the ball has re-entered play. Teams will not be able to change a wrong decision later by protest; the check must be done in time.
Second yellow card can now be reviewed
Another change concerns second yellow cards. VAR will be able to review the player's second yellow card; however, it cannot review the first yellow card based on the possibility of a second card.
This change aims to prevent unjust red cards. Nevertheless, situations where the first yellow card is wrong but the second card is justified may still arise.
New measure for goalkeepers and time-wasting
Limitations are also introduced on tactical breaks used by goalkeepers to slow the game's rhythm. When the goalkeeper is on the ground, both teams will be prevented from going to their technical areas for short team talks.
Additionally, a countdown will be applied to some actions to prevent time-wasting. A five-second limit for goal kicks and throw-ins, and a ten-second limit for substitutions will be enforced. Those exceeding these times will be penalized.
Red card for mouth-covering behavior
The last change in the tournament relates to players covering their mouths while talking. This behavior is noted to be used especially to make it difficult for referees and opponents to read lips.
According to the new rule, if a player does this in a confrontational manner, they can receive a red card. The aim is to prevent later denial of aggressive expressions.
Context: The 2026 World Cup will be one of the first major tournaments jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the USA. The five rule changes aim to enhance the quality of play and the perception of fairness in matches.
Fans will see all these new rules on the field for the first time in matches played in June and July. Especially the expansion of VAR's scope is expected to be one of the most talked-about topics of the tournament.
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