Football is constantly evolving, and the sport's rules change accordingly. Every year, FIFA and the International Football Association Board (IFAB)—the body responsible for establishing and publishing the Laws of the Game each season—implement changes that affect how soccer is played worldwide.

At the same time, IFAB researches and tests alternative rules experimentally. A panel of experts comprising former players, coaches, referees, and sports administrators is responsible for determining which rules will be adopted in the future. In fact, several proposals are submitted at annual meetings each year and tested in youth leagues and lower divisions as live samples of these experiments before potentially being rolled out worldwide.

One of the most talked-about experimental proposals in recent years is the "Wenger Rule" regarding offside. Proposed by legendary Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger, this rule seeks to change the offside law. Rather than an infringement occurring when any part of an attacking player's body is level with a defender, as is currently the case, a player would only be in an offside position if their entire body is ahead of the second-to-last opponent. The goal is to reduce goals being disallowed for marginal offside decisions, encourage attacking play, and promote a more aggressive, direct style of football.

Diagram showing the new "Wenger Rule" offside law / 443

The proposal has sparked considerable debate both in support and opposition. The Canadian Premier League (CPL) has signaled its intention to be the first professional league to trial this rule in 2026, with FIFA continuing to monitor its implementation. As confirmed by IFAB in the Laws of the Game for the 2026/27 season, FIFA will continue to test this rule change in FIFA competitions, with the possibility of expansion to other leagues in the future.

The International Football Association Board stated: "Testing or trialling a change to the Laws of the Game is sometimes necessary to assess both the anticipated and unanticipated effects the change will have on the game." The body also noted that "confederations, national associations, and competition organisers wishing to participate in these trials must obtain approval from IFAB."

"For the 2026/27 season, IFAB will continue to explore offside alternatives, including the 'Wenger Rule,' while focusing on testing trials related to goalkeeper injury delays."

Other IFAB Trials

According to the body, IFAB plans to test other rules this season in some participating competitions, and these are expected to be formally incorporated into the Laws of the Game soon.

Goalkeeper Injury Protocol

To prevent goalkeepers from feigning injury for tactical reasons to disrupt play or allow coaches to issue instructions, FIFA's proposal stipulates that when a goalkeeper receives treatment on the field or when an injury causes a stoppage, one outfield player must leave the field for one minute—the same as with any other player injury.

VAR – Attacking Fouls Before Ball Restart

This amendment allows VAR to intervene in specific situations. When an attacking team commits a foul before a free kick or corner kick is taken in their defensive area, and that foul directly and immediately impacts a goal, penalty, or sending-off decision, VAR can intervene.

In these instances, VAR addresses tactical fouls—such as pulling, holding, pushing, or blocking—against defending players that occur before the ball is put back in play.

Cooling-Off Breaks

These breaks allow referees to pause the match when emotions are running high on the field, with the aim of calming both teams and avoiding conflict to protect player safety.

According to IFAB, by introducing formal cooling-off periods, referees gain a tool to "pause the match when tensions rise, allow players to calm down before play resumes, and encourage captains and coaches to promote good conduct within their respective teams."

During this time, all players must return to their own penalty area, and the captains and coaches of both teams speak with the referee at the centre circle to ease tensions.

Heading

Another change long sought in youth football is IFAB's move to prevent players under 12 from intentionally heading the ball, reducing risks to children's head health.

Recognising the importance of this issue, IFAB has approved a trial to study the impact of treating "intentional heading" as a foul punishable by an indirect free kick. The trial will take place in matches and competitions involving players aged 12 and under, an age group that already has restrictions on heading in training.

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