The 2026 World Cup may face major rules adjustments: penalty shot may be cancelled

FIFA and the International Football Association Council (IFAB) are discussing important changes to the football rules of the 2026 World Cup, which involves the use of penalty shots and VAR (video assistant referee). These changes may have a profound impact on the game.

1. Penalty rules may change: the resumable shot is invalid after saving

Currently, if the penalty is saved by the goalkeeper or hit the goal frame, the offensive player can make a resumable shot. However, the new regulations propose that once the penalty kick is saved, the referee will immediately determine it as a "dead ball", the defense will get the goal ball, and the supplemental goal will no longer be effective.

supporters believe that the penalty kick itself has given the offensive side a great advantage (the probability of scoring exceeds 70%), allowing the offensive side to get a "double opportunity" and is unfair to the defensive side. In addition, this adjustment can reduce the controversy that players enter the penalty area in advance before taking the penalty kick. However, opponents believe that complementary shots are an important dramatic element of football matches, and canceling it may reduce the suspense and excitement of the match.

2. VAR may expand the scope of use.

VAR has been controversial since its introduction, but IFAB is still considering expanding its scope of intervention, including:

Corner Punishment: If the referee wrongly judges the corner (for example, the ball is actually touched by the offensive party), VAR can be corrected.

Second yellow card: If the referee wrongly presents the second yellow card and causes a red card, VAR can intervene to modify the penalty.

In order to avoid frequent interruptions of the game, IFAB emphasized that VAR's intervention must be completed quickly and the pace of the game cannot be delayed for a long time.

3. Other possible adjustments

Goalkeeper's ball holding time: may be extended from 6 seconds to 8 seconds to reduce the controversy over goalkeeper's delay.

Off-side rule: The off-side judgment criteria may be adjusted to reduce the controversy caused by "mm-level off-side".

4. Final decision time

The amendments to these rules require the IFAB to vote at the annual meeting in March 2026. If passed, it will officially take effect on June 1, 2026. FIFA hopes to finalize all details by the end of February 2026 to ensure the new rules are implemented smoothly in the World Cup.

If these reforms are finally passed, the punishment method of the 2026 World Cup will undergo significant changes, which will directly affect the progress and results of the game.