Fifa Proposes New Rules for Injured Players

One-minute mandatory time off the field among measures to reduce time-wasting and improve game flow.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Fifa is proposing new rules that would require players who receive treatment for an injury to stay off the field for at least one minute. This is one of several measures Fifa is pushing to tackle time disruption and loss during matches. The current laws have no stipulation on how long injured players must remain on the sidelines, leading to concerns about time-wasting tactics. Fifa held trials with a two-minute rule at the Arab Cup, but there is pushback from leagues about unintended consequences like a team conceding a goal while down to 10 players.

Why it matters

These proposed changes are part of Fifa's efforts to improve the flow and tempo of the game by reducing time-wasting tactics. However, leagues have raised concerns that a mandatory one-minute absence could unfairly penalize genuinely injured players and lead to unintended consequences like conceding goals while short-handed.

The details

Under the current laws, there is no set time that injured players must remain off the field after receiving treatment. Leagues have the option to set their own guidelines, with the Premier League adopting a 30-second rule since the 2023-24 season. Fifa held trials with a two-minute rule at the Arab Cup in December, but there was strong pushback against that length of time from leagues. A one-minute rule is now being proposed as a compromise, but concerns remain about negative impacts like a team conceding a goal while down to 10 players. There will be some exceptions, such as if the opposing player is carded or the injured player is a goalkeeper or penalty taker.

  • Fifa held trials with a two-minute rule at the Arab Cup in December 2025.
  • The International Football Association Board (Ifab) annual general meeting is scheduled for Saturday, February 24, 2026.

The players

Pierluigi Collina

Fifa referees' chief who says the two-minute rule is intended to reduce time-wasting and improve the flow of the game.

Matthijs de Ligt

Manchester United player who was forced to leave the field with a cut, leading to Brentford scoring from a corner while he was off the pitch.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The International Football Association Board (Ifab) is expected to vote on the proposed one-minute rule and other measures at its annual general meeting on Saturday, February 24, 2026.

The takeaway

These proposed Fifa rule changes aim to reduce time-wasting tactics and improve the flow of the game, but leagues have raised concerns about unintended consequences like teams conceding goals while down a player due to the mandatory time off the field. The final decision on the length of the mandatory absence time will be made at the upcoming Ifab meeting.