What rule changes are coming in?

The Laws of the Game are maintained and adapted by the International Football Association Board (IFAB). The latest changes to football’s rules were introduced on 1 July 2025 and cover the following areas:

Law 3: The Players

After a successful trial at UEFA Euro 2024 and subsequent use in last season’s Bundesliga, the so-called ‘only the captain’ rule has now been fully implemented and means that only the on-field captain (or a designated player, if the captain is a goalkeeper) can speak to the referee. Said player also has a degree of responsibility for the behaviour of the team.

Since this approach was introduced across all levels of football in Germany last season, its inclusion in the Rules of the Game do not change anything going forward.

Law 8: The Start and Restart of Play

New rules have been introduced regarding drop-balls, which are to be done at the position of the ball when play was stopped. The ball is to be dropped for a player of the team that has or would have gained possession, if this is clear to the referee; otherwise, it is dropped for a player of the team that last touched it.

If the ball was inside the penalty area, however, it will be dropped for the defending goalkeeper inside their box.

Law 9: The Ball In and Out of Play

If, without intending to interfere with play unfairly, a team official, substitute, substituted or sent-off player, or player who is temporarily off the field of play (injury, adjusting equipment etc.) touches the ball while it is still in play but when it is clearly leaving the field of play, this is penalised with an indirect free-kick. There is no sanction.

For example, if a player warming up behind the goal stops a ball rolling wide still just inside the field of play, perhaps to aid their goalkeeper in taking a quick goal-kick - under the previous rules, that would have resulted in a penalty and a yellow card. Now, it will only be an indirect free-kick.

Watch: Such an incident led to a penalty in Bundesliga 2 in 2019

Law 12: Fouls and Misconduct

Perhaps the biggest and most demanded change regards goalkeepers, who can now only keep the ball in their hands/arms for eight seconds. The referee will visibly count down the last five available seconds with their hand.

If the goalkeeper has not released the ball within those eight seconds, the referee will now award a corner (rather than an indirect free-kick) on the side of the field closest to the goalkeeper’s position when penalised.

There is no disciplinary action unless the goalkeeper repeatedly commits the offence. A goalkeeper cannot be challenged by an opponent when in control of the ball with their hand(s)/arm(s).

Law 14: The Penalty Kick

When taking a penalty, should the taker accidentally touch the ball twice – for example hitting the ball against their standing leg – and score a goal, then the spot-kick will now be retaken.

In the event of a double touch whereby the ball does not go into the goal, then this will – as previously – result in an indirect free-kick against the taker.

VAR announcements

Following successful trials, IFAB have confirmed that competitions now have the option of the referee announcing and explaining decisions in the stadium after a VAR review.

This system was used in some Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 fixtures from last season.

Watch: History made as referee announces VAR decision