IFAB to Approve Time-Wasting Rules for 2026 World Cup

Football's governing bodies are poised to approve a series of rule changes aimed at curbing time-wasting and enhancing the pace of play at the 2026 World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The International Football Association Board, or IFAB, will consider these measures at its annual general meeting in Wales on Saturday, with officials expecting approval for implementation starting July 1, allowing their debut at the tournament.

The proposals address longstanding concerns over deliberate delays that reduce effective playing time, which averaged just under 60 minutes at the 2022 World Cup despite added stoppage time and hovered around 55 minutes in the English Premier League last season. By standardizing rules across competitions, the changes seek to benefit players, fans and broadcasters while prioritizing player welfare amid growing fixture congestion.

Central to the reforms are five-second countdowns for throw-ins and goal kicks. Referees would initiate the count with a whistle and hand signal if they detect intentional stalling. Exceeding the limit on a throw-in would reverse possession to the opponents, while a delayed goal kick would result in a...