At its 139th Annual General Meeting, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) unveiled a number of updates to the Laws of the Game, set to take effect for the 2025/26 season. The changes are aimed at improving clarity, fairness, and flow within the game, and span several key areas from offside rulings to goalkeeper conduct.
1. Only captains may speak to referees
To reduce confrontations and improve communication, only team captains will now be permitted to address the referee during matches.
2. Goalkeeper countdown enforcement
Referees will visibly signal the final five seconds of the eight-second limit that goalkeepers have to release the ball. This replaces the previous six-second rule and adds a countdown element for clarity.
3. Dropped ball adjustments
Dropped ball procedures have been refined:
- Inside the penalty area, the ball will be dropped to the defending goalkeeper.
- Outside the area, it will be dropped to the team clearly in possession, or to the team that last touched the ball if unclear.
4. Ball in play/out of play (touchline interference)
If a coach or non-playing individual intentionally touches a ball still in play but heading out:
- An indirect free kick is awarded.
- No cards will be issued unless it becomes a repeated offence.
5. Offside clarification
When determining offside:
- The first point of contact with the ball is used, unless a goalkeeper is handling the ball, in which case the last point of contact is used for a more accurate reference.
6. Goalkeeper time violation
If a goalkeeper holds the ball for more than eight seconds:
- The opposing team is awarded a corner kick from the nearest side.
- The keeper is not booked unless it becomes habitual.
Indirect free kicks still apply for:
- Holding the ball over six seconds without action.
- Re-handling after release before another player touches it.
- Handling a deliberate back pass or throw-in unless clearly attempted to be played with the foot.
7. Goal kick and corner kick clarifications
Both laws now more explicitly define when goal and corner kicks should be awarded, aligning them with related laws to remove ambiguity.
- Goal kick: Ball crosses the goal line last touched by an attacker, no goal scored.
- Corner kick: Ball crosses the goal line last touched by a defender, no goal scored. Also applies if a goalkeeper delays beyond eight seconds.
8. VAR decisions must be signalled and explained
Referees are now required to show the “TV screen” signal after a VAR review and announce the final decision. Federations may adopt additional transparency protocols allowing public explanation of the ruling, based on FIFA’s VAR guidelines.
The changes signal a strong push by IFAB to reinforce discipline, improve match flow, and support better decision-making both on and off the pitch. National associations and leagues are expected to implement these amendments ahead of the new season.
