New Football Rules Debut in 2026 World Cup After Benfica Racism Case Sparks Mouth-Covering Ban

International Football Association Board (IFAB) has announced a comprehensive package of rule changes set to debut at the 2026 World Cup. The reforms include strict time limits on throw-ins and goal kicks, expanded VAR authority, and new protocols for managing injured players. Significantly, one specific measure — a policy to address players who cover their mouths during confrontations — was directly prompted by the ongoing racism investigation involving Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni and Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior.

The 2026 World Cup Rule Package:

• 5-second limits on throw-ins and goal kicks, with possession reversals for delays — designed to reduce time-wasting and increase ball-in-play time.

• VAR authority expanded — can now overturn incorrect second yellow cards, review mistaken player identity, and assess obviously incorrect corner kick decisions.

• Mouth-covering policy in development — IFAB will develop punitive measures following the Prestianni-Vinícius Júnior incident at Estádio da Luz.

• Injured outfield players must leave the field for at least one minute of running time after treatment resumes, reducing tactical stoppages.

How a Lisbon Incident Shaped One Specific Reform

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) wrapped its 140th Annual General Meeting in Hensol, Wales, by announcing sweeping changes to the Laws of the Game. While most reforms addressed timing and video review protocols — improvements planned independently for World Cup optimization — one measure emerged directly from recent events in Portugal: the commitment to "develop measures" targeting players who shield their mouths during confrontations.

This policy development follows an incident that occurred just weeks earlier at Estádio da Luz in Lisbon. During a Champions League playoff first leg between Benfica and Real Madrid, Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni was accused of directing a racial slur toward Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior. Prestianni allegedly delivered the insult with his shirt pulled over his mouth — a gesture that UEFA officials and video review teams found difficult to verify. Vinícius immediately reported the incident to French referee François Letexier, triggering UEFA's anti-racism protocol and halting the match for nearly 10 minutes.

UEFA opened a formal investigation into Prestianni, which could result in a suspension. The Argentine forward has denied the accusation, claiming Vinícius "misunderstood" what he heard. Benfica, managed by José Mourinho at the time, supported Prestianni and appealed his provisional one-match suspension. The club maintained that opposing players were positioned too far away to accurately verify the exchange. Prestianni missed the return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu, where Benfica fell 2-1 and exited the competition.

The incident has left Portugal football circles divided. While Benfica suspended five of its own fans for racist behavior observed during the same match, debates continue over the accuracy of audio evidence in high-pressure environments. The final ruling on Prestianni could take several weeks, and the outcome will remain significant for Portuguese football.

What the 2026 World Cup Will Look Like

IFAB's timing reforms are designed to reclaim minutes lost to gamesmanship and increase fairness. Starting July 1, 2026 — just in time for the World Cup — competitions will enforce strict time limits on routine stoppages:

Throw-ins and goal kicks must be taken within five seconds once the referee initiates a visible countdown. Miss the deadline on a throw-in, and possession flips to the opponent. Delay a goal kick, and the opposition earns a corner. The rule mirrors the existing 8-second rule for goalkeepers holding the ball.

Substitutions now carry a 10-second exit window. Players who dawdle leaving the pitch will see their replacement barred from entering until the next stoppage — and only after one full minute of play has elapsed. Teams will temporarily play a man down, a severe penalty for time-wasting.

Injured outfield players receiving medical attention must leave the field and stay off for at least one minute of running time after play resumes. Goalkeeper injuries remain exempt for now, but the change targets squads that weaponize injury stoppages to disrupt momentum or protect leads.

VAR Gets Broader Powers — and New Responsibilities

Video review will expand into territory previously restricted. The VAR can now intervene when a referee issues a second yellow card in error, preventing wrongful dismissals. It can also step in when the wrong player is sanctioned, resolving cases of mistaken identity that have historically required post-match corrections.

Competitions may also allow VAR to review obviously incorrect corner kick decisions — but only if the correction can happen immediately, without delaying the restart. This optional protocol gives leagues flexibility but adds another judgment call for already-scrutinized officials.

The changes reflect mounting pressure on match officials, who face criticism from fans, managers, and league bodies. VAR controversies and inconsistent officiating have dominated headlines across Portuguese football this season, running alongside debates over competition fairness.

Impact on Portuguese Clubs and Players

Portuguese clubs competing in European tournaments will feel these changes first. Benfica, Porto, and Sporting CP — all regulars in UEFA competitions — will need to drill players on the 5-second rule and train substitutes to leave the pitch rapidly. Coaches may need to rethink tactical positioning near the sideline if a delayed throw-in costs possession.

Youth academies and grassroots programs will follow suit once the Portuguese Football Federation adopts the rules domestically, likely by the 2026-27 season. Expect conditioning staff to emphasize rapid transitions and medical teams to triage injuries faster to avoid the 1-minute penalty.

The mouth-covering policy remains in active development within IFAB. If automatic sanctions emerge — such as yellow cards or match bans for the gesture — the reform will reshape how players manage heated exchanges on the pitch. For a league where passion and physicality define competition, the adjustment will require significant adaptation.

The Bigger Picture: Speed, Transparency, and Fairness

IFAB's package prioritizes three key objectives: more ball-in-play time, clearer protocols for VAR intervention, and mechanisms to promote on-pitch transparency. The organization believes these measures will make football fairer and more watchable, reducing the average stoppage time that has increased toward 10 minutes per match in top leagues.

Critics warn that the 5-second countdowns could introduce new controversies, with referee discretion over when to start the clock becoming a contested issue. Smaller clubs worry that wealthier squads with deeper benches will exploit the substitution rule more effectively through tactical replacements.

Still, the reforms represent a significant adjustment to match tempo since VAR was introduced. For Portugal fans, the changes promise faster play and more equitable competition — but they also guarantee an adjustment period. Teams, players, and officials will require time to adapt to the new protocols, with inevitable growing pains as the rules take effect in 2026.