FIFA has introduced a number of rule adjustments ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, aimed at reducing delays during matches and discouraging time-wasting.
The tournament is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, with the changes covering areas such as substitutions, restarts, injury management, and the scope of VAR reviews.
Under the updated guidelines, players being substituted must exit the field within 10 seconds. Failure to do so will result in the incoming substitute being required to wait an additional minute before stepping onto the pitch.
Time limits have also been introduced for restarts. Throw-ins and goal kicks must now be taken within five seconds; otherwise, possession will be handed to the opposing team.
For injuries that require treatment on the field, players will have to leave the pitch immediately after receiving medical attention and will only be allowed to return after at least one minute of active play has passed.
The Video Assistant Referee system will also play a broader role during the tournament. Officials will be permitted to review incidents involving second yellow cards and obvious mistakes in corner kick decisions, in a move designed to improve accuracy in key moments of the game.
The upcoming World Cup will also mark a historic milestone. It will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with matches staged across 16 cities — 11 in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada.
With this edition, Mexico will become the first nation to stage the men’s World Cup three times, while Canada will host matches for the first time.
The competition will also expand to 48 teams, making it the largest World Cup tournament ever held.
The joint North American bid, known as United 2026, won the right to host the competition at the 68th FIFA Congress in Moscow, defeating Morocco’s proposal.
The tournament will return to the traditional June–July schedule after the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar was held in November and December due to weather conditions.
Several countries are expected to appear at the World Cup for the first time, including Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan.
Meanwhile, reigning champions Argentina will be aiming to defend the title they won in Qatar.
The Ghana national football team will be making their fifth appearance at the global tournament. Ghana will begin their Group L campaign against Panama national football team on June 17, before facing England national football teamon June 23 and Croatia national football team on June 27.
Source: classfmonline.com
