The 2026 World Cup saw plenty of new laws and directives, many of which were designed to speed up each match and improve fan experience both on TV and in stadiums.
With the start of the 2026-27 Premier League season just days away, which World Cup changes will be carried over when Arsenal host Coventry City in the league opener? More importantly, are they going to work?
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Time Limits | VAR Reviews | Rejected World Cup rules
TIME LIMITS
Players who receive on-field injury treatment/assessment will be required to leave the pitch for at least one minute
Andy's verdict: Premier League players already had a 30-second period in which injured players must stay off the field. Doubling that amount of time doesn't feel necessary to me -- or to Premier League clubs and refs. The 30-second rule worked well last season: There was a 70% decline in the number of times players were treated by medical staff on the pitch, which slows the game down. Unfortunately, this is a law change by IFAB -- the international referees group -- which means the Premier League has no option but to introduce it. One minute is a long time in football, and having a numerical disadvantage for this period could have an impact on a key moment in a game.
Five-second countdowns for throw-ins and goal kicks -- and a throw-in or corner awarded to an offending team
Andy's verdict: This rule was brought in for the World Cup and was a great success. The five-second countdown only begins once a referee feels the player is taking too long -- not when they first pick up the ball -- so some referee discretion is applied. I expect this to have a similarly positive impact on the Premier League.
Ten-second limits for players to leave the field when substituted
Andy's verdict: The punishment fits the crime here.: If a player exceeds the time limit, then the player replacing them cannot come on until the first stoppage in play or after one minute has passed, whichever comes first. The rule means an end to the managed exits from the pitch that are so frustrating for everyone involved. A word of caution, though: I expect that referees will be relatively lenient; if the player is moving towards a touchline, I think they will be comfortable even if the clock tips over 10 seconds.
VAR CHANGES
VAR reviews when second yellow cards are shown
Andy's verdict: This is a sensible and important addition to the VAR protocol. We are unlikely to see this used too often. These errors are actually very rare. However, when a second yellow card is shown incorrectly, it has the same impact on a match as a straight red card. The use of a video replay can help correct that. Remember this, though: Second yellow cards will only be reviewed for factual correctness -- for example, if a player receives a second yellow card for a trip and there clearly is no trip. It will not be used for any subjective decisions, or where there is any judgement to be made.
VAR reviews allowed for mistaken Identity
Andy's verdict: This can be filed under the "We won't see this often" column. This rule means a card can be reviewed if it was issued to the wrong player, which can happen in situations where multiple players are involved. So this is a positive step. Then again, this is not entirely straightforward. It was applied differently at the World Cup -- we saw yellow cards given to defenders for a foul, only to be reversed following a VAR review and awarded to the attacker -- and the Premier League won't follow suit. You'll only see this rule applied to the same infringement. For example, a yellow card can't be rescinded for a foul and then brandished to the attacker for diving, as that would be a different infringement.
WORLD CUP RULES YOU WON'T SEE
VAR won't intervene when a corner kick has incorrectly been awarded
Andy's verdict: If the Premier League had committed to this law change, it would have been very difficult to reverse in future. In truth, these situations have been few and far between, and I am comfortable that this is not part of the laws for this season. This might not be the end of the matter, though. It may only take one highly impactful controversy to change the narrative on this rule.
Players won't be sent off for covering their mouths in a confrontational situation
Andy's Verdict: When this was introduced in the World Cup protocol, I thought this was a positive step, adding a layer of safety to the players and their wellbeing. However, while the rationale is a solid one, I am not sure it really worked at the World Cup, and the Premier League have decided that they will adopt their own processes when it comes to these types of situations.
No mandatory hydration breaks
Andy's verdict: Some things will remain at the World Cup and won't come near the Premier League. The halftime show is one of them. Mandatory hydration breaks are another. Every World Cup match featured a break at the midpoint of each half -- used by some TV broadcasters as an opportunity to show commercials. But that won't happen in English football next season. Hydrations breaks can still occur when hot weather dictates, as seen by last weekend's Carabao Cup first-round matches, but not as a mandatory rule.