The IFAB

Effective today (1 July), the Laws of the Game 2026/27 are officially binding for every upcoming football competition worldwide. ➡️ App: bit.ly/Laws_App_ ➡️ Website: theifab.com ➡️ Presentation of all changes + video examples: bit.ly/Changes26_27

LAW CHANGES 2026/27 After an unsuccessful pass by Team A, the ball is heading out for a throw-in. While it is still on the field of play, very close to the touchline, a ball boy/girl catches the ball in an attempt to help restart the game quickly. What is the correct decision? ➡️ bit.ly/Extra_Persons_ ➡️ bit.ly/_Dropped_Ball Download the official Laws of the Game app: ➡️ bit.ly/LawsAppAndroid ➡️ bit.ly/LawsApp_iOS

LAW CHANGES 2026/27 What is the referee’s decision if a throw-in is not taken correctly? ➡️ bit.ly/Throw-in_Proce… ➡️ bit.ly/Referee_Powers Download the official Laws of the Game app: ➡️ bit.ly/LawsAppAndroid ➡️ bit.ly/LawsApp_iOS

The five-second countdown can be started if the player taking the restart deliberately causes a delay by: ➡️ slowly retrieving the ball ➡️ taking up an incorrect position at a throw-in ➡️ putting the ball in an incorrect position at a goal kick bit.ly/5-second_count…

The five-second countdown starts when the referee determines that a throw-in/goal kick is being deliberately delayed by the team taking the restart (not when the ball goes out of play). The referee does NOT have to wait for a player to have possession of the ball to start the countdown. Find out more: bit.ly/5-second_count…

LAW CHANGES 2026/27 The ball touches a match official (outside the penalty area), remains on the field of play and the team in possession of the ball changes. What is the referee’s decision? ➡️ bit.ly/BallOutOfPlay ➡️ bit.ly/_Dropped_Ball Download the official Laws of the Game app: ➡️ bit.ly/LawsAppAndroid ➡️ bit.ly/LawsApp_iOS

An example of the penalty taker 'deliberately' touching the ball a second time is when the ball rebounds from the goalpost(s) or crossbar without touching the goalkeeper, and the player who took the penalty kick touches it again before it has touched another player (of either team). Best regards, The IFAB

@TheIFAB I don't know of any player who would attempt to do that deliberately and good luck to them if they wanted to try, but surely the rule doesn't need to be any more complicated than the outcome of the kick stands? Why complicate it with a retake or indirect free-kick?

If the penalty taker ACCIDENTALLY kicks the ball with both feet simultaneously or the ball touches their non-kicking foot or leg immediately after the kick, and the ball: ➡️ enters the goal from the kick, the kick is retaken ➡️ does not enter the goal, an indirect free kick is awarded (or recorded as missed during penalties (penalty shoot-out)), unless the goalkeeper also offends, in which case the kick is retaken Keep up to date with all Law changes: bit.ly/Changes26_27 Download the official Laws of the Game app: bit.ly/Laws_App_

A defending player (Team A) denies an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO) by pulling an opponent’s shirt (Team B) outside the penalty area. The referee allows play to continue as the ball goes to another Team B player who gains the possession, takes a shot on goal and misses the opportunity (the ball goes over the crossbar). What is the referee’s decision? ➡️ bit.ly/GoalKick_Intro ➡️ bit.ly/Referee_Powers ➡️ bit.ly/_Sanctions Download the official Laws of the Game app: ➡️ bit.ly/LawsAppAndroid ➡️ bit.ly/LawsApp_iOS

The countdown from five to zero: ➡️ helps the team avoid exceeding the five-second limit (and conceding a throw-in, or a corner kick if the goal kick is delayed) ➡️ signals to the thrower’s/kicker’s team-mates to get into position to receive the ball before the countdown ends

When a player/team is delaying the taking of a throw-in or goal kick, the referee may use their whistle and/or voice to indicate that the player/team should hurry up and not delay the restart. To start the five-second countdown (which may start without the above cue) the referee: ➡️ blows the whistle ➡️ signals clearly with their hand/arm for the restart to be taken ➡️ visually counts down from five seconds with a raised hand; this visual countdown may be accompanied by a verbal countdown where appropriate Find out more: bit.ly/5-second_count…

LAW CHANGES 2026/27 A defender competes with an attacker for the ball and commits a careless tackle outside the penalty area which denies the opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO). The referee allows play to continue as the ball goes to another attacking player who gains possession of the ball, takes a shot and scores a goal. What is the correct decision? ➡️ bit.ly/Referee_Powers ➡️ bit.ly/_Sanctions Download the official Laws of the Game app: ➡️ bit.ly/LawsAppAndroid ➡️ bit.ly/LawsApp_iOS

The IFAB publishes the Laws of the Game in seven languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Arabic, Traditional Chinese, and Brazilian Portuguese. Regarding other languages (e.g. Turkish), national football associations have an opportunity to translate the Laws of the Game and publish their official translation on theifab.com (in PDF format) or in the Laws of the Game app. Best regards, The IFAB

@TheIFAB We also want the Turkish version in PDF format.

Effective today (1 July), the Laws of the Game 2026/27 are officially binding for every upcoming football competition worldwide. ➡️ App: bit.ly/Laws_App_ ➡️ Website: theifab.com ➡️ Presentation of all changes + video examples: bit.ly/Changes26_27

Thank you for your question, Andy. For example, if a player is attacking and is fouled and had several teams-mates the ball could have gone to against a small number of defenders that could mean it is more of a DOGSO situation. Referees already apply this consideration, so the Law, in itself, has not changed. Best regards, The IFAB

@TheIFAB How does the location and number of attackers affect the decision?

To judge whether an offence denies the opposing team an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO), the referee must also consider the location and number of attackers (not only the defenders). Keep up to date with all Law changes: bit.ly/Changes26_27 Download the official Laws of the Game app: bit.ly/Laws_App_

The changes to Law 10 and 14 confirm the clarification announced by The IFAB in June 2025 in circular no. 31, which concerned accidental double touches at a penalty kick/during the penalty shoot-out. If, after the penalty kick has been taken, the kicker DELIBERATELY touches the ball again before it has touched another player, an indirect free kick is awarded (no change).

The following offences committed at a penalty kick by the kicker result in an indirect kick being awarded to the opposing team: ➡️ deliberate second touch ➡️ kicking the ball backwards ➡️ illegal feinting ➡️ taking the kick instead of the identified kicker ➡️ unsporting behaviour

If, before the ball is in play at a penalty kick, both the goalkeeper and the kicker commit an offence at the same time: ➡️ the penalty kick is retaken, unless the kicker commits one of the offences outlined in Law 14.3: bit.ly/PenaltyOutcome ➡️ there is no caution (no yellow card) for the kicker, except for illegal feinting, unsporting behaviour, or taking the kick instead of the identified kicker The same principles apply to kicks taken during penalties (penalty shoot-out). Keep up to date with all Law changes: bit.ly/Changes26_27 Download the official Laws of the Game app: bit.ly/Laws_App_

@DomThomas8 @maxrushden Our intention was to emphasise that, in reality, it is almost impossible to score from a goal kick (unlike from a corner kick). Best regards, The IFAB

@maxrushden I asked @TheIFAB about it and this what they said: "Good evening A goal cannot be scored directly from a goal kick so it is not such a crucial error. Best wishes The IFAB" Either they, or their AI Bot, is clueless.

The rule where an incorrect corner can be changed to a goal kick, but an incorrect goal kick can’t be changed to a corner is totally ridiculous.

@_Bailo_ Yes

@TheIFAB Does this apply to encroachment during a penalty kick?

If a player is airborne when a restart is taken (e.g. at a penalty kick), their position is now determined by the projected position of their feet if they were touching the ground. ‘Airborne’ only applies when the whole of the body is off the ground. In other cases, a player’s position at a restart is determined by the position of their feet or any part of their body which is touching the ground (except as outlined in Law 11 – Offside). The definition of the ‘restart position’ can be found in the Glossary: bit.ly/Football_terms Keep up to date with all Law changes: bit.ly/Changes26_27 Download the official Laws of the Game app: bit.ly/Laws_App_

The posts are published regularly to remind everyone interested in the Laws of the Game of the changes that were officially communicated by The IFAB in March and May. The Laws of the Game 2026/27 take effect from 1 July 2026. Competitions starting before that date may implement the changes earlier or delay their implementation until no later than the start of the next competition. Best regards, The IFAB

@TheIFAB Will you be able to post all the laws by the end of this WC?