Senegal’s AFCON appearance will prompt major law changes ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup

ByTech Word News

The 2026 Africa Cup of Nations controversy has affected sweeping changes to the laws of the game, with the International Football Association Board (IFAB) confirming new rules that will apply from the 2026–27 season and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The reforms include stiff penalties for players who leave the pitch in protest and new disciplinary disputes for covering mouths.

The changes were approved after a series of incidents during the AFCON, notably Senegal strike during the final after a controversial penalty decisionbefore they came back to beat hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time, an episode that has now affected global football law.

“These adjustments aim to address discrimination, reduce time-wasting, improve the pace of the match and improve the experience for players and fans,” FIFA chief referee Pierluigi Collina was quoted as saying by Reuters.

“The IFAB has approved a number of major changes to the Laws of the Game and the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first major tournament to use them,” Collina added.

Key reforms now include red cards for players who leave the pitch in protest against a referee’s decision. Team officials who encourage such actions may also be penalized, while teams that cause the game to be stopped will automatically forfeit the game.

In a separate disciplinary update, players covering their mouths in confrontational situations may also face red cards if the intention is deemed inappropriate, following past incidents of alleged discriminatory behaviour. The most recent case involved Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni, who was accused of using a derogatory slur against Vinicio Jr. while covering his mouth. Prestianni received a six-match ban from UEFA and his ban was extended worldwide.

If Prestianni didn’t call Vini Jr. monkey, why cover your mouth like that?
And look at his face right after pure guilt written all over it!
No innocent person hides what he says like a criminal.
pic.twitter.com/SD0ScOelzA— NENDU (@NENDU__) February 24, 2026

FULL LIST OF CHANGES:

Leaving the pitch –

  • Players who leave the field of play in protest against a referee’s decision will receive a red card.
  • This rule will also apply to any team official who encourages players to leave the field of play in protest.
  • Teams that cause a match to be interrupted will now lose the match.

Covering the mouth –

  • A player who covers his mouth with his hand, arm or shirt in confrontational situations will receive a red card.
  • For example, players who cover their mouths during friendly conversations with club mates in opposing teams will not be penalized.

Countdown of face-offs and goals –

  • The referee will start a visual five-second countdown with a raised hand.
  • If the ball is not in play at the end of the countdown, the opponent is awarded a throw-in.
  • If a goal kick is not taken at the end of the countdown, a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team.

Substitution Protocols –

  • Players have 10 seconds to leave the board once the substitution board is revealed.
  • Players must leave the court at the nearest point on the boundary line.
  • If the substituted player does not leave the field of play within 10 seconds, the substitute may enter only at the first time-out after one minute has passed after the restart and the referee gives him a signal.
  • Exceptions: player injuries, safety and security concerns.

Treatment off the pitch –

  • The fielder must leave the field for one minute after the restart if medical personnel have entered the field to treat him.
  • Exceptions: goalkeeper injuries, collisions between a goalkeeper and a player in the field, collisions between teammates that require attention, serious injuries (such as head injuries and concussions), or when the injured player is set for a penalty.

Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Protocol –

VAR can now intervene in the following incidents:

  • A red card is issued from a clearly incorrect yellow card.
  • Mistaken identity: a player is shown a yellow or red card for an offense committed by another player.
  • Wrongly awarded corners: VAR can intervene if the decision can be immediately corrected without delaying the restart.
  • VAR can now intervene when a foul is committed before play has restarted (for example: when an attacker fouls a defender before the ball is in play from the quarterback).

“VAR will recommend a review on the pitch, after which, if the referee decides that the offense occurred before the ball was in play, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken and the corner kick or free kick will be retaken,” IFAB said.

Hydration breaks –

  • There will be a three-minute hydration break in each half of each game.
  • A break will be taken around the halfway point of each half (22nd minute).
  • Referees were given some flexibility with the timing of the timeout. For example, if a player is injured and requires treatment in the 20th minute, the referee may signal a suspension of hydration.

Goalkeeper injury –

  • If the goalkeeper is treated on the field, players from both teams will not be allowed to leave the field of play and will have “time out” with their respective coaches.

– The end

Published on:

1 Jun 2026 14:48 IST