ENGLAND are bracing for nine major rule changes at this summer’s World Cup, including a clampdown on grappling at set-pieces.
The Three Lions have jetted out to the United States ahead of their opener against Croatia on June 17.
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Officials will bring in nine new rule changes at the World Cup, including a VAR overhaul Credit: Getty
Referees will be given power to intervene on bookings and second yellows Credit: Rex
Thomas Tuchel is hoping to end England‘s 60 years of hurt at the first time of asking but he will have a number of obstacles to deal with.
One major stumbling block is Fifa’s desire to clamp down on grappling at corners and free kicks.
It will see attackers penalised for fouls BEFORE a set-piece is delivered, with England singled out as a potential culprit.
Fifa‘s refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina said England’s goal in their 1-1 friendly draw against Uruguay would not be allowed to stand at this year’s World Cup.
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Ben White prodded home after Adam Wharton ran into Uruguay defender Jose Maria Gimenez before Cole Palmer‘s free kick.
Collina said: “The incident at Wembley was very serious. The ball was not in play and there was a clear foul committed by an illegal block against the defender.
“That block was the only projected threat preventing the defender from being able to defend on his opponent.
“This happens a lot when defenders mark man to man and attackers try to create space but we are convinced that this goal cannot stand. It is completely unfair.”
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New World Cup 2026 rules
FIFA confirmed several new rules coming into play for the World Cup 2026.
They are:
Outfield players cannot go to technical areas while goalkeeper getting treatment
Five-second countdowns for goal-kicks and throw-ins
Ten-second substitutions – or else one-minute sub entry delay
One minute off field after outfield players get treatment
Three-minute hydration breaks in each half
VAR can intervene over fouls before ball in play for goals, penalties and disciplinary sanctions
VAR can correct wrongly-awarded yellow cards and corners
Red cards for covering mouth in confrontational talk
Red cards for walking off pitch in protest
That’s not the only issue facing England this summer.
There will also be a revamp of VAR, with officials able to intervene on corners, bookings and second yellows.
Referees are also set to be much stricter on certain incidents that made headlines in football, such as players covering their mouth while in a confrontation and players walking off the pitch in protest at a decision.
Players who do so will now be awarded a straight red card.
Officials will ensure time wasting is cut to a minimum at this summer’s tournament too.
Players will also have substitution sin bins if teams breach a ten-second countdown Credit: Getty
There will be a major clampdown on grappling at corners after Ben White’s controversial set-piece goal against Uruguay Credit: Reuters
Tactical timeouts will be clamped down on for players that attempt to go into the technical area for instructions while a goalkeeper goes down for treatment.
The issue came up when Daniel Farke accused Gianluigi Donnarumma of “bending the rules” after going down in Manchester City‘s clash with Leeds in November.
In addition, there will be a ten-second limit for making subs. Any team breaching the limit will have to wait another minute to bring the player on.
And there will also be a five-second countdown for throw-ins and goal-kicks, with throw-ins reversed and a corner awarded for any offences.
And officials have also decided to bring in three-minute hydration breaks in each half amid fears of searing temperatures at the tournament.
