The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the body that discusses the rules of football, has approved a number of changes for the 2025/26 season. The new rules are already being applied at the Club World Cup in June. Here’s an overview of the possible changes in Sport Bet article.
If a goalkeeper hesitates too long when holding the ball, it can have consequences at least for his own team. The rule change, adopted by the FIFA Council, is designed to limit the loss of time and speed up the game – if the goalkeeper holds the ball for longer than eight seconds, the opponent will no longer award an indirect free kick, as before, but a corner kick. The referee visually counts down from five seconds.
The previous six-second rule had almost no effect in practice. With the introduction of a more visual method of counting and the change of sanction – a corner kick instead of a free kick – the problem, which had gone unnoticed for a long time, is now being actively addressed.
IFAB changes are already in place for the Club World Cup
Initial tests have shown a ‘significant positive effect’.
The new eight-second rule is one of many changes that will officially come into effect on 1 July 2025. However, it can be applied to tournaments that take place before then. Thus, it will already be in effect at the Club World Cup, which begins on 14 June in the United States.
Transparency becomes mandatory – referees now have a say
What was previously only a pilot project in the Bundesliga is now becoming a reality on the international stage: in future, referees will no longer be required to remain silent when VAR intervenes – they will have to give an explanation.
This situation already occurred at the match between Bayer Leverkusen and Hoffenheim in February, when referee Robin Brown told the crowd directly into the stadium microphone the reason for the refusal to award a penalty with the words: ‘according to the photo and video, there was an offside position’. The innovation in the Bundesliga may work in the future.
This form of communication will be institutionalised at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. After lengthy or particularly important VAR reviews, referees will be able to publicly explain their decisions in a clear, concise and understandable manner. This gives hope for less speculation and more acceptance.
FIFA is also planning a further step towards transparency. The world’s governing body is opening up a previously unfamiliar perspective to the game: body cameras.
What has already brought greater discipline to the field at amateur level in England is now being tested on the big stage. At the Club World Cup, selected referees will wear body cameras for the first time, and the footage will be used not only for training purposes but also for live broadcasts.
Club World Cup and future changes
In addition to the main innovations – VAR communication, body cameras and new sanctions for goalkeepers – the details are also being finalised. Some of the changes may seem subtle at first glance, but they can have a real impact on the game. Two of them concern the handling of stoppages in play.
A new rule on a dropped ball: if play is interrupted outside the penalty area, the ball is awarded to the team that should have received it, if this can be clearly determined.
Unintentional contact with the ball – if a substitute or player touches the ball shortly before leaving the field of play, only an indirect free kick will be awarded – without further penalty.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will take place in the United States from 14 June to 13 July – for the first time in a new, expanded format with 32 teams.
Earlier, Arsenal and PSG played in the Champions League.
