The 2026-27 football season will bring several new rules aimed at reducing timewasting, improving the pace of matches and limiting tactics that delay play.
The changes were first used at the World Cup and will now be introduced across English football, from the EFL and Community Shield to the Premier League and lower levels of the game. VAR will remain limited to competitions that use the technology.
The main aim of the new rules is to reduce delays and allow more playing time without adding excessive stoppage time.
At the recent World Cup, the ball was in play for an average of 58 minutes and 16 seconds, accounting for 60.43% of total match time. The new rules are expected to encourage players to avoid unnecessary delays.
Five-second countdown for restarts
Players who deliberately delay restarts will face a five-second countdown.
The referee will signal the start of the countdown and visibly count with an arm movement. If the player does not restart play within five seconds, the referee can award the throw-in to the opposing team.
The rule can apply to actions such as leaving the ball on a cone or deliberately dropping it for a teammate.
Long throws will not be covered by the rule because they are treated as set-piece routines, although the countdown could begin once players are ready.
Goalkeepers who take too long over goal-kicks could also see the opposing team awarded a corner.
Substituted players have 10 seconds to leave
Players being substituted will now have 10 seconds to leave the pitch through the nearest point.
If they take longer, their replacement must wait at least one minute before entering, meaning their team will temporarily play with 10 men.
There are exceptions, including injuries and security concerns about where a player can leave the field.
Injured players must stay off for one minute
Players who receive treatment after causing the referee to stop play must now remain off the pitch for one minute before returning.
The rule is designed to prevent players from using injuries to interrupt the opposition’s momentum.
However, the rule does not apply when a player goes down and the ball naturally leaves the field.
There are also exceptions in certain situations, including when the player responsible for the foul receives a yellow or red card.
Goalkeeper treatment could leave teams with 10 players
A new trial will also target the use of goalkeeper injuries as tactical breaks.
If a goalkeeper receives treatment, the coach must select an outfield player to leave the pitch for one minute. The name of the player must be given to the fourth official within 10 seconds.
If no player is nominated in time, the captain will make the decision.
There are exceptions, including situations where the goalkeeper has been fouled or is bleeding.
New approach to handball during goal-kicks
The rules will also provide a clearer approach when defenders handle the ball inside the penalty area during a short goal-kick.
Once the goalkeeper or a defender kicks the ball, the goal-kick will be considered to have been taken.
If a defender then deliberately touches the ball with their hand or arm, a penalty can be awarded. If the goalkeeper handles it, an indirect free-kick can be given for a backpass.
VAR gets some new powers
VAR will also have a few additional areas to review.
One change allows VAR to check the second yellow card that results in a player being sent off, but only where there has been a clear error.
VAR can also review an attacking foul committed before a set-piece is taken if the incident directly leads to a goal, penalty or disciplinary action.
However, VAR will not review defensive fouls committed before the ball is in play because a penalty cannot be awarded for such an incident.
There will also be a clearer approach to mistaken identity, meaning VAR can intervene when the referee has punished the wrong player.
Some VAR rules will remain unchanged
Despite the changes, VAR will not be used to correct incorrect corner decisions.
There will also be no VAR intervention for red cards involving players covering their mouths during confrontational incidents.
The new rules are therefore expected to bring major changes to how teams manage substitutions, injuries, restarts and goalkeeping situations during the 2026-27 season.
