FIFA Rulebook Quick Guide: Key Rules Fans Should Know for 2026

Football Rules, Simplified

Whether you’re a casual fan attending your first World Cup match or a seasoned supporter looking for a refresher on the latest rule changes, this guide covers the essential FIFA rules you need to know for the 2026 tournament.

Match Duration

Q: How long is a World Cup match? A: 90 minutes, divided into two 45-minute halves with a 15-minute half-time break.

Q: What is stoppage time? A: The referee adds time at the end of each half to compensate for injuries, substitutions, VAR reviews, and other delays. In 2026, expect 6-12 minutes of stoppage time per half — FIFA has instructed referees to more accurately calculate time lost.

Q: What happens in knockout matches that are tied after 90 minutes? A: The match goes to extra time — two 15-minute periods (30 minutes total). If still tied, a penalty shootout determines the winner.

Q: Is golden goal still used? A: No. The golden goal rule (first goal in extra time wins) was abolished in 2004. The full 30 minutes of extra time are always played.

The Offside Rule — Simplified

Q: What is offside in simple terms? A: A player is offside if any part of their body (except hands/arms) is closer to the opponent’s goal line than both the ball and the second-last defender at the moment the ball is played to them.

Q: When does offside not apply? A: A player cannot be offside in their own half, from a goal kick, a throw-in, or a corner kick.

Q: What is “active play” for offside? A: A player in an offside position is only penalized if they become involved in play by touching the ball, interfering with an opponent, or gaining an advantage.

Q: How is offside checked in 2026? A: Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT) uses 12 cameras and a ball sensor to track player positions. The system alerts VAR within 15 seconds of an offside offense.

Fouls and Cards

Q: What is a direct free kick foul? A: A direct free kick is awarded for kicking, tripping, pushing, jumping at, charging, striking, or holding an opponent, as well as handball. A goal can be scored directly from a direct free kick.

Q: What is an indirect free kick foul? A: Awarded for less serious offenses like dangerous play, impeding the goalkeeper, or offside. A goal cannot be scored directly — another player must touch the ball first.

Q: What does a yellow card mean? A: A caution for unsporting behavior, persistent infringement, delaying the restart, or tactical fouls. Two yellow cards in one match = red card (dismissal).

Q: What does a red card mean? A: Dismissal from the match for serious offenses: violent conduct, denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity (professional foul), or receiving a second yellow card. The dismissed team plays with 10 players for the rest of the match.

Q: What about yellow card accumulation across matches? A: Players are suspended for one match after receiving two yellow cards in the tournament. Yellow cards are reset after the quarterfinal stage — meaning no player carries yellow card suspension risk into the final.

Quick Reference: Card Offenses

Offense	Card	Notes
Tactical foul (breaking up attack)	Yellow	Professional foul in midfield
Denying clear goal-scoring opportunity	Red	DOGSO — last defender foul
Handball preventing a goal	Red	Deliberate handball on the line
Delaying restart	Yellow	Kicking ball away, time-wasting
Dissent/arguing with referee	Yellow	Can escalate to red
Violent conduct	Red	Striking, headbutt, etc.
Persistent fouling	Yellow	3+ fouls without individual card
Unsporting celebration	Yellow	Shirt removal, climbing fence
Diving/Simulation	Yellow	Attempting to deceive referee

Substitutions

Q: How many substitutions are allowed? A: Five substitutions per match, with an additional sixth substitution allowed during extra time in knockout matches.

Q: How many substitution opportunities? A: Teams can make substitutions at three moments during the match (plus half-time). This prevents excessive time-wasting from repeated stops.

Q: Can substituted players return to the pitch? A: No. Once a player is substituted, they cannot return to play. The only exception is for concussion substitutes (if implemented by the tournament).

Q: What is the concussion substitute rule? A: If a player suffers a suspected concussion, the team can make an additional substitution (not counting toward the five regular subs). The opposing team can also make an additional sub to maintain numerical balance.

VAR — Video Assistant Referee

Q: What does VAR check? A: Four types of incidents:

Goals (checking for offside, foul, handball in buildup)
Penalty decisions
Direct red cards
Mistaken identity (wrong player carded)

Q: How does the referee use VAR? A: The VAR team reviews incidents in a central control room. They can recommend the referee conduct an On-Field Review (OFR) — watching the incident on a pitchside monitor. The referee always makes the final decision.

Q: Can VAR check everything? A: No. VAR cannot review: yellow cards, fouls that don’t lead to goals/penalties, or throw-in/corner kick decisions. VAR only intervenes for “clear and obvious errors” in the four reviewable categories.

Q: Does VAR make the game slower? A: VAR reviews typically take 30-90 seconds. For offside, SAOT reduces this to under 15 seconds. Total stoppage time due to VAR across an entire match averages 2-3 minutes.

Goal-Line Technology

Q: Does GLT work for every goal? A: Yes. Every World Cup stadium has GLT installed. When the ball fully crosses the line, a signal is sent to the referee’s watch within 1 second showing “GOAL”.

Q: Can GLT be wrong? A: The system has 99.99%+ accuracy and has never produced a false positive (awarding a goal when the ball didn’t cross the line) in World Cup competition.

Set Pieces and Restarts

Q: How does a kickoff work? A: The ball is placed at the center spot. Players must be in their own half. The ball moves forward (any direction in 2026 following IFAB changes) and is in play when kicked.

Q: What about goal kicks? A: The ball is placed anywhere inside the six-yard box. All opponents must remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play. The ball is in play as soon as it is kicked and clearly moves.

Q: How do corners work? A: The ball is placed inside the corner arc. Opponents must be at least 9.15 meters (10 yards) away. A goal can be scored directly from a corner kick.

Q: What about throw-ins? A: The ball must be thrown from behind and over the head with both feet on the ground. A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in.

Q: How far must opponents stand from free kicks? A: 9.15 meters (10 yards) — the distance is marked by painted lines on the pitch.

Goalkeeper Rules

Q: What is the six-second rule? A: A goalkeeper cannot hold the ball in their hands for more than six seconds. Violation results in an indirect free kick to the opposing team.

Q: What is the backpass rule? A: A goalkeeper cannot pick up the ball with their hands if it was deliberately kicked to them by a teammate. They can still play it with their feet. The rule prevents time-wasting and encourages more open play.

Q: Can goalkeepers move off their line during a penalty? A: No. The goalkeeper must have at least one foot on the goal line when the penalty is struck. Moving forward before contact can result in the penalty being retaken.

Q: Can a goalkeeper be sent off? A: Yes. Goalkeepers receive red cards for the same offenses as outfield players — violent conduct, denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity outside the box, or a second yellow card.

Penalty Kicks

Q: When are penalty kicks awarded? A: For direct free kick offenses committed inside the defending team’s penalty area.

Q: Can players other than the designated taker take the penalty? A: Yes. Any player on the pitch (including the goalkeeper) can take the penalty. The referee must be able to identify the taker.

Q: What happens during a penalty shootout? A: Five players from each team take alternating penalties. If tied after five rounds, sudden death continues until one team scores and the other misses. Only players on the pitch at the end of extra time can participate.

Summary

Rule	Key Point
Match length	90 min + stoppage time
Extra time	2 x 15 min (knockouts only)
Substitutions	5 (6 in extra time)
Yellow card accumulation	2 = 1-match ban
Red card	Team plays with 10
VAR	Checks clear errors in 4 categories
GLT	Instant, 99.99% accurate
Offside technology	SAOT — 15 second checks
Goal kick placement	Anywhere in six-yard box
Kickoff direction	Any direction (2026 rule)

Whether you’re watching from the stands, a sports bar, or your living room, understanding these rules will deepen your appreciation of the world’s greatest tournament. Football’s beauty lies in its simplicity — but knowing the nuances makes every moment even more compelling.