FIFA’s 2026 World Cup Gets Stricter: Collina Moves to Shut Down Time-Wasting
Pierluigi Collina is backing new 2026 World Cup rules designed to keep matches moving, curb tactical delays, and tighten VAR and throw-in enforcement.
FIFA is preparing to make the 2026 World Cup faster, tighter, and far less tolerant of time-wasting. Pierluigi Collina, chairman of FIFA’s Referees Committee, has announced new regulations aimed at preserving match tempo, including a ban on players gathering at the technical area for coaching instructions while a goalkeeper is receiving medical treatment.
The message is clear: the tournament’s officials want fewer stoppages, less gamesmanship, and more continuous play. The new approach is part of a broader refereeing push that also includes updated VAR protocols and stricter enforcement of throw-in timing rules.
Why FIFA is changing the rules
According to the reported changes, FIFA wants to discourage tactical pauses that slow the rhythm of a match and create avoidable interruptions. The goal is not only to reduce time-wasting, but also to improve the viewing experience for fans and keep the pace of play closer to what the modern game demands.
Collina has also publicly supported expanding VAR to corner-kick decisions at the World Cup, arguing that it would be a pity if an “honest mistake” by a referee decided a match. That stance points to a tournament where officiating will be more interventionist in some areas while also being more aggressive about limiting delay tactics.
What the new World Cup rules mean
The most visible change targets one of football’s most familiar tricks: using an injury stoppage to turn the technical area into a mini huddle. Under the new regulations, players will not be allowed to gather there for instructions when a goalkeeper is being treated.
FIFA and the International Football Association Board have also approved stricter handling of VAR procedures and throw-in durations. Together, those changes are designed to prevent teams from stretching stoppages and to keep the ball in play more often.
A faster, more controlled tournament
The 2026 World Cup will be the latest test of how far football’s lawmakers are willing to go to protect match flow. By tightening referee oversight, limiting coaching interruptions, and sharpening the use of technology, FIFA is signaling that the next World Cup will be as much about controlling the game’s rhythm as it is about deciding results.
For players and coaches, that means less room for delay tactics. For fans, it promises a cleaner, quicker product on the biggest stage in world football.