Revised Laws of the Game introduce strict substitution timing, technology use, and restart protocols to improve flow and fairness
The 2026/27 edition of the Laws of the Game brings a wide set of changes designed to reduce time-wasting, clarify disciplinary procedures, and expand the use of match technology. The updates apply across all levels of football, with several measures aimed at speeding up play and protecting sporting integrity.
Law 3 – The Players
Senior ‘A’ international friendly matches may now use up to eight substitutes. Teams can increase that to eleven if both sides agree and notify the referee before kick-off. Each team remains limited to three substitution opportunities.
To limit delays, substituted players must exit the field within ten seconds of the substitution board being displayed or the referee’s signal. If a player fails to leave in time, the substitute cannot enter until the first stoppage after one minute of play has elapsed. From 1 July 2027, the ‘Only the captain’ communication guidelines will become a compulsory protocol for all competitions.
Law 4 – Players’ Equipment
The wording around accessories has been updated. Players may wear accessories provided they are not dangerous and are safely and securely covered. Dangerous items remain prohibited and cannot be taped or concealed. The change recognises cultural, religious, medical, and personal reasons for wearing certain items while maintaining safety standards.
Law 5 – The Referee
Competitions are now formally permitted to use technology to assist referees. This includes the VAR protocol, goal line technology, and semi-automated offside technology. Referees may also play advantage when a restart is taken incorrectly but the ball is in play and the opposing team gains an advantage.
Player injury management has been tightened. With limited exceptions, players who receive on-field assessment or treatment, or who cause play to stop due to injury, must leave and remain off the field for one minute after play restarts. Exceptions include goalkeepers and players injured by an offence resulting in a yellow or red card.
VAR’s scope has been expanded. Reviewable incidents now include a red card resulting from a clearly incorrect second yellow card, mistaken identity where the wrong player is carded, and, where competitions choose, clearly incorrect corner kicks if the decision can be changed immediately without delaying the restart. Referees, assistant referees, and fourth officials may be issued body cameras by competition organisers, with strict controls on footage use.
Law 8 – Start and Restart of Play
The dropped ball procedure clarifies that the team which “would have gained possession” includes the team entitled to the restart if the ball would have gone out of play. If play stops due to interference by a match official or outside agent, the ball is dropped at the point of interference.
Law 10 – Determining the Outcome of a Match & Law 14 – The Penalty Kick
Rules on accidental double touches at penalties have been confirmed. If the kicker accidentally touches the ball twice, the kick is retaken if a goal is scored and recorded as missed if not. The automatic caution for the kicker is removed when both the kicker and goalkeeper offend at the same time.
Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct
If advantage is played following a DOGSO offence and the attacking team scores, the offending player is no longer cautioned or sent off. The considerations for DOGSO now include the location and number of attackers, providing referees with a clearer framework.
Law 15 – The Throw-in & Law 16 – The Goal Kick
To discourage delay, a five-second visual countdown will be used. If a team exceeds the time for a throw-in, the throw is awarded to the opponents. If the time is exceeded for a goal kick, a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team.
VAR Protocol
The protocol now lists red cards from clearly wrong second yellow cards and mistaken identity cases as reviewable. Competitions may also opt to review clearly incorrect corner kicks when the correction can be made instantly.
These amendments reflect a broader push toward efficiency, consistency, and player welfare. Leagues and associations will now begin education programmes for referees, players, and coaches ahead of implementation, with the ‘Only the captain’ protocol becoming mandatory from July 2027.
