Here are the FIFA law changes for the 2022-2023 season. They will apply to the 2022 World Cup and leagues that start after July 1, 2022.
Update: New FIFA Rules for 2023-2024
More Subs
The temporary rule giving professional teams five subs during COVID-19 is now permanent. Each team can now use up to five subs during a game. Competition rules can also allow a sixth sub in games that go into extra time.
To keep the game moving, there are limits on when teams can make subs.
- Each team can only sub on three stoppages of play. To get to 4 or 5 subs, teams can bring on multiple subs in the same stoppage.
- Half time does not count as a stoppage.
- If the competition rules allow an extra sub in stoppage time, teams get a fourth stoppage.
- The break between the end of full time and extra time does not count as a stoppage.
- The half time of extra time does not count as a stoppage.
Coin Toss
The wording of the rules previously just said coin toss. Now it says the referee tosses a coin.
A fairly meaningless change since this is what’s always been done.
Carding Team Officials During Kicks from the Mark
Team officials can now get cards during a penalty shootout. This was previously implied, but now it’s official.
Goalkeeper Handball
The goalkeeper can’t get a red card for a handball offence in their own penalty area. Another unnecessary wording change.
Player Leaving the Field to Commit an Offense Against an Outside Agent
If a player leaves the field during play without the ref’s permission to commit an offense against an outside agent, the other team gets an indirect kick where they left the field. For example, if the ball is in play when a player decides to go punch a fan.
The ref would also give at least a yellow for leaving the field or a red if the player engaged in violent conduct.
Penalty Kicks
The goalkeeper can now start behind the line on a PK. Before they had to have at least one foot on the line.
Goalkeepers can use this to get extra momentum. FIFA will probably get rid of this soon, because the change was to not punish a goalkeeper who had one foot in front of and one foot behind the line. But for now, rules are rules.
FAQ
Will the World Cup use the new rules?
Yes, the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will play under the new rules.
Will MLS use the new rules?
MLS has the option to not use the new rules this season since their season already started, but they usually start using the new rules at the All Star break.
Who makes the rules?
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) determines the Laws of the Game of association football. It has five permanent members: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and FIFA. FIFA gets four votes, and new rules need at least six votes to pass.
When are new rules decided?
The IFAB meets once per year in spring, and the new rules go into effect on July 1st. There are usually at least a few minor changes each year.
You can see the full rules update from the IFAB here.
