FIFA to test Wenger offside rule and new goalkeeper injury protocol

"Sport" points out that football is constantly evolving, and so are the rules of the game. Every year, FIFA and the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the body responsible for formulating and publishing the Laws of the Game, implement changes that affect how football is played globally.

At the same time, IFAB also researches and tests different rules on an experimental basis. Its expert panel, composed of former players, coaches, referees, and sports administrators, determines which rules might be applicable in the future. Some proposals are put forward at the annual meeting and tested in youth leagues or lower-level competitions, which serve as testing grounds for these experiments before potential worldwide implementation.

One of the most watched experimental proposals in recent years is the "Wenger Law" concerning offside. This proposal, championed by legendary Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger, aims to modify the offside rule: an offside would only be called when an attacking player's entire body is beyond the second-to-last defender, rather than as it is now, where a foul can be called if any part of their body is on the same line as the last defender. The goal is to reduce instances of goals being disallowed for marginal offsides, encourage attacking play, and promote more aggressive and creative football.

The image shows the new "Wenger Law" offside rule / 443

This proposal has sparked considerable discussion, with both supporters and critics. The Canadian Premier League (CPL) has expressed willingness to introduce this rule as an experiment in professional competition in 2026, and FIFA is continuously monitoring its implementation.

As IFAB confirmed in the Laws of the Game for the 2026/27 season, FIFA will continue testing this rule change in FIFA competitions, with the aim of potentially extending it to other leagues in the future.

The International Football Association Board stated, "It is sometimes necessary to test or trial potential changes to the Laws of the Game to assess their anticipated and unanticipated impact on the game." The body also said, "If confederations, national associations and competition organisers wish to participate in these trials, they must obtain authorization from IFAB."

"In the 2026/27 season, IFAB will focus on testing experiments related to delays caused by goalkeeper injuries, while continuing to explore alternatives for the offside rule," including the "Wenger Law."

Other IFAB Trials

According to the body, IFAB will also test other rules in some participating competitions this season, which are expected to be officially incorporated into the Laws of the Game soon.

Goalkeeper Injuries

To prevent goalkeepers from feigning injuries for tactical reasons or to disrupt play and allow coaches to give instructions, FIFA's proposal stipulates that if a goalkeeper receives treatment on the field or if their injury causes the game to be stopped, an outfield player must leave the field for one minute, similar to the protocol for other player injuries.

VAR – Attacking Team Fouls Before the Ball Is Back in Play

This modification allows VAR to intervene in certain situations: when an attacking team commits a foul before their own free kick or corner kick is taken, and this foul directly affects a goal, penalty, or certain red card decisions, VAR can intervene.

In these situations, VAR will address tactical fouls against defenders before the ball is back in play, including pulling, holding, pushing, or blocking.

Cooling Breaks

This break allows the referee to pause the game when tensions are escalating on the field, with the aim of calming both sides, avoiding conflict, and protecting player safety.

According to IFAB, establishing a formal cooling break would provide referees with a tool to "pause the game when tensions escalate, help players calm down before play resumes, and urge captains and coaches to advocate for proper conduct within their respective teams."

During this time, all players must return to their own penalty area, while both captains and coaches will speak with the referee team in the center circle to de-escalate tensions.

Heading

Another change long advocated in youth football is IFAB's effort to prevent players under 12 from deliberately heading the ball, in order to reduce the risk to children's head health.

Recognizing the importance of this issue, IFAB has approved a trial to study the impact of treating "deliberate heading" as a foul punishable by an indirect free kick. This trial will be conducted in matches and competitions involving players aged 12 and under, age groups where heading is already restricted in training.

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