2026 World Cup Rule Changes: How FIFA’s Proposed Medical and Offside Updates Could Reshape the Game
- Jonathan Turner
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup draws closer, soccer’s global governing body is considering significant updates to the Laws of the Game aimed at increasing match tempo and reducing deliberate time-wasting.
With the tournament set to kick off in less than six months across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, FIFA’s proposed rule changes have sparked widespread discussion among players, coaches, referees, and supporters. If approved, these adjustments could noticeably change how matches are managed on the world’s biggest stage.
One of the most debated proposals centers on injury management. Under current rules, players who receive medical treatment must briefly leave the field but are often allowed to return almost immediately, a loophole critics say has been exploited to slow the pace of play.
FIFA’s proposed solution would require any player receiving on-field treatment to remain off the pitch for a minimum of two minutes after play resumes. During that time, their team would play shorthanded. FIFA officials believe this change would deter simulated injuries and increase overall playing time, leading to a faster and more continuous match flow.
The rule would include key exceptions. Players injured as a result of fouls that result in a yellow or red card, as well as goalkeepers, would not be subject to the mandatory two-minute absence. These exemptions are designed to preserve fairness while still targeting intentional delays.
Trial Run at the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup
FIFA tested the proposed medical-treatment rule during the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup in Qatar, held from December 1–18. Overseen by Referees Committee chairman Pierluigi Collina, the trial required treated players to remain off the field for two minutes once play restarted.
Morocco went on to win the tournament with a victory over Jordan in the final, but results were secondary to FIFA’s main objective: evaluating whether the rule effectively reduced time-wasting and improved net playing time.
Following the tournament, FIFA began reviewing match data to assess the rule’s impact on game rhythm and overall flow. Those findings are expected to be presented to the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in early 2026, where a final decision will be made on whether the rule will be implemented for the World Cup.
The medical-treatment proposal is part of a broader push by FIFA to modernize the sport. Additional discussions, including potential changes to how offside decisions are judged, could further influence how matches are officiated at the highest level.
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, these proposed updates underscore FIFA’s focus on improving fairness, maintaining competitive integrity, and enhancing the entertainment value of soccer on the global stage.
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