This season kicks off with a set of fresh rules that could either add extra spice to the drama or make match outcomes a lot less controversial.
The new football season is here — and with it comes all the highs, heartbreaks, and that glorious unpredictability we’ve come to love.
But before the first whistle blows, there’s something else to note.
These rules were set by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the international self-regulatory body of association football that is known for determining the Laws of the Game, the regulations for the gameplay of football.
They were officially used at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, which saw Chelsea emerge as the winner of the competition.
So, whether you’re heading to the stadium, settling into your favourite pub, or gathering at a viewing centre, here are 6 new football rules you need to know for the 2025/26 season.
- Goalkeepers Have Just Eight Seconds
From now on, goalkeepers can only hold the ball for a maximum of eight seconds. If they take longer, the opposing team won’t get an indirect free-kick anymore—they’ll get a corner kick instead.
To make it clear, referees will visibly count down the last five seconds with their hands. If the keeper still hasn’t let go by the eighth second, the corner will be awarded from the side closest to where the goalkeeper was penalised.
No cards will be given unless the keeper keeps breaking the rule. And remember, when a goalkeeper has the ball in their hands, no opponent can try to take it from them.
- Only Captains Can Talk to the Referee
Those tense moments when a crowd of players swarms the referee? They’re officially over—at least in the Premier League. From now on, only the team captain can approach the ref during a game.
If the captain is a goalkeeper, the team must pick an outfield player for the role before kick-off. Any other player who approaches the referee without permission, especially in a disrespectful way, risks getting a yellow card.
This move, which has already been tested in European competitions, is meant to keep things respectful and ease the pressure on officials.
- Ball Drop Restarts Are Now Clearer
No more confusion about who gets the ball after a stoppage. If one team clearly had possession when the game was stopped and the ball was outside the penalty area, they would get it back. If it wasn’t clear, the ball goes to the team that last touched it before play stopped. Simple.
- Accidental Touches Outside the Pitch Won’t Get You Booked
If a coach, substitute, or even a dismissed player accidentally touches the ball outside the field, play will restart with an indirect free-kick for the other team—but no cards will be handed out. This is to avoid punishing harmless, accidental contact.
- VAR Decisions Could Be Announced to the Crowd
To make refereeing more transparent, competitions, referees now have the option of explaining VAR decisions directly to fans in the stadium.
Although this rule isn’t compulsory, the referee will either announce the VAR review outcome over the stadium’s public address system or let the fans see the review on the TV screen in the stadium.
- Penalty Kick ‘Double Touch’ Gets a New Twist
If a player taking a penalty accidentally hits the ball twice—say, by kicking it against their own standing leg—and it goes into the net, the penalty will now be retaken.
If the ball doesn’t go in after a double touch, the usual rule applies: an indirect free-kick goes to the other team.
These changes — among the most comprehensive reforms in recent years — are designed to enhance the flow of matches, promote fairness, and improve the experience for fans. As a result, the new 2025/26 season promises to deliver a more dynamic, transparent, and viewer-friendly version of football
