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With the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to kick off across the United States, Canada and Mexico, football’s lawmakers, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), have approved a series of rule changes aimed at reducing time-wasting, improving officiating and speeding up the game.

FIFA referees chief Pierluigi Collina confirmed that several new regulations will be enforced at the tournament, including restrictions on goalkeeper “tactical timeouts” and expanded VAR powers.

The new rules are designed to reduce time-wasting, discourage gamesmanship and improve decision-making at the World Cup. FIFA also hopes the measures will cut down on excessive stoppage time, which became a major talking point at the 2022 tournament.

The 2026 World Cup will be the first edition featuring 48 teams, making it the largest tournament in FIFA history.

Here is the full list of law changes that will be used at the 2026 World Cup.

1. Five-second throw-in countdown

Referees can begin a visible five-second countdown if players delay taking throw-ins. If the countdown expires, possession will be awarded to the opposition.

2. Five-second goal-kick countdown

Teams that deliberately waste time during goal-kicks risk conceding a corner kick. The referee will also use a visible five-second countdown.

3. Time-limited substitutions

Substituted players must leave the pitch within 10 seconds using the nearest exit point.

Failure to comply means the replacement player cannot enter until the next stoppage after one minute of play.

4. One-minute off-field treatment rule

Players who receive on-field medical treatment must stay off the pitch for 60 seconds after play resumes. Goalkeepers and certain injury situations are exempt.

5. VAR can review second-yellow red cards

VAR officials can now review dismissals caused by clearly incorrect second yellow cards.

6. VAR can review mistaken identity

Video Assistant Referees can intervene if the wrong player is punished with a yellow or red card.

7. VAR can review wrongly awarded corners

Competitions can allow VAR reviews for clearly incorrect corner-kick decisions, provided the review is immediate and does not delay play.

8. VAR can review attacking fouls before set-pieces

VAR can now intervene if an attacking foul occurs before a corner or free-kick that directly leads to a goal, penalty or major disciplinary incident.

9. Red-card sanction for covering the mouth during confrontations

Players who cover their mouths during confrontational exchanges with opponents can now face a straight red card under new anti-discrimination measures.

10. Goalkeeper tactical timeouts restricted

Players will no longer be allowed to leave the pitch for team talks when a goalkeeper goes down injured.

The measure will be enforced at the World Cup as part of FIFA’s anti-time-wasting crackdown.

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Three-time FA Cup champions City were appearing in their fifth final, and their first since losing to Chelsea in extra time four years ago.

Goalkeeper Khiara Keating, called up to Sarina Wiegman’s England squad on Wednesday, was unavailable after sustaining an injury in training earlier in the week, so it was Ayaka Yamashita between the posts for City.

Brighton showed intent from the start, and City nearly got themselves into trouble when Jade Rose left the ball for her keeper, oblivious to the threat of the lurking Madison Haley, who then collided with Yamashita.

Yamashita stayed down and the ball came out to Marisa Olislagers, who fired at the open goal but was denied an opener by Greenwood’s clearance off the line.

Brighton keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie was called into action with a smart save, but the Seagulls dominated the following 10 minutes, though they were too tentative and could not make their chances count.

City came to life after the half hour, testing Nnadozie before Shaw broke the deadlock with five minutes remaining in the first half, instigated by Greenwood’s lovely looped delivery and beating the rising keeper to plant home a header.

Greenwood then took matters into her own hands, curling a free-kick into the bottom-right corner in the sixth minute of stoppage time at the end of the first half.

City were three goals to the good in the 66th minute. A well-worked move saw Shaw cut the ball back to Miedema, who laid it off for the Japan international to curl home.

Miedema, out since late March for personal reasons, and whose mother is battling cancer, nodded home City’s fourth with three minutes remaining in normal time to wrap up the win.

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Super Eagles and Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has moved to calm growing speculation surrounding his future after comments made by Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle suggested the forward could be close to completing a transfer.

Chelle sparked fresh rumours about Osimhen’s next destination while explaining the striker’s absence from Nigeria’s upcoming international friendlies against Poland and Portugal.

The Franco-Malian tactician revealed that Osimhen requested to stay away from the squad as he focuses on a potential move.

“We miss two players because Victor Osimhen maybe he is about to change club, so I prefer he stays at home because if he plays and is not at 100 percent is not good,” Chelle said.

The remarks quickly fueled speculation over the future of the Galatasaray forward, who has been linked with several top European clubs in recent months.

However, Osimhen has now responded publicly, insisting that Chelle’s comments were misunderstood and urging supporters to ignore the growing rumours.

In a message posted on his Instagram Story, the 27-year-old revealed that he had spoken directly with the national team coach to clarify the situation.

“I just got off the phone with Coach Eric Chelle regarding the comments about me in his recent interview.

“Unfortunately, his words have been taken out of context and blown out of proportion. He has great respect for Galatasaray, follows most of our games, and never intended to create any controversy.

“I appreciate the conversation, the opportunity to always represent my country, and I look forward to continuing to work with him. He is a great coach whom I respect a lot, and I kindly ask everyone to disregard the speculation surrounding this matter.

“Thank you for your consistent support.”