World Cup will use a new five-second restart rule for throw-ins and goal kicks
06 June 2026
A new five-second restart rule for throw-ins and goal kicks will be used at the World Cup. If the referee judges voluntary delay, a visible count starts. At zero, a delayed throw-in goes to the other team and a delayed goal kick becomes a corner. 1 2
The rule does not put every throw-in or goal kick on a five-second clock as soon as the ball goes out. The referee starts the count only after deciding the restart is taking too long or is being deliberately delayed. 3
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