New Rules in CWC: Penalty double touches to be retaken & fans can view VAR

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, set to kick off in the United States on June 15, marks the first time FIFA has expanded the tournament to 32 teams and changed its schedule to once every four years.

Additionally, according to a summary by The Sun, eight new rules will be introduced and implemented to enhance the viewing experience and competitive standards.

1. Goalkeepers Prohibited from Holding the Ball for Over 8 Seconds

An amendment passed by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) at its annual meeting in Belfast on March 1, 2025, stipulates that if a goalkeeper holds the ball for more than 8 seconds, the referee will award a corner kick to the opposing team. This updates IFAB's existing Law 12, Paragraph 2, which previously penalized goalkeepers for holding the ball over 6 seconds with an indirect free kick inside the penalty area.

The new rule was tested in over 400 matches across youth leagues in England, Italy, and others, receiving positive feedback and effectively deterring time-wasting. In recent trials during the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana, only two instances of goalkeepers exceeding the 8-second limit were recorded.

During matches, since referees struggle to time 8 seconds precisely, they will raise an arm to signal a 5-second countdown once they sense prolonged possession. If the ball is not released within 5 seconds, a corner kick is awarded. Originally scheduled for July 1, the rule is being piloted early at the Club World Cup and will also apply to the U21 European Championship.

2. Only Captains May Communicate with Referees

FIFA will strictly enforce a rule allowing only team captains to interact with referees during the tournament. Non-captain players who violate this will receive a yellow card. The adjustment, first proposed during the 2024 European Championship, has since been extended to UEFA competitions this season.

Other players may still interact with referees and assistants in non-critical moments, but major decisions must be discussed solely with captains. If a goalkeeper is captain, the team may appoint an outfield player as the liaison. Referees are encouraged to "explain decisions rather than debate them" with captains.

UEFA states: "Information and explanations are provided exclusively to captains, who are the only players entitled to respectfully converse with referees and seek clarifications." Captains must also ensure teammates respect referees and avoid surrounding them. In UEFA matches, referees have already cautioned players for ignoring this policy.

3. Introduction of the "Arteta Rule"

This rule, also established at the Belfast meeting, originates from an incident in a UEFA Champions League match where Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta intercepted a ball about to go out of play and handed it to an Arsenal player. Though deserving a red card, he was only cautioned.

The new rule states that if a coach or substitute accidentally touches the ball before it goes out of play, an indirect free kick is awarded without additional punishment. If the action aims to restart play quickly, a warning is deemed appropriate.

4. Penalty Double Touches to Result in Retakes

Following IFAB's June 3 announcement clarifying the "double touch" incident involving Julián Álvarez in the UEFA Champions League, the rule allowing retaken penalties for accidental double touches—scheduled for July 1—will be implemented early at the Club World Cup.

If a player inadvertently strikes the ball against their own foot or leg during a penalty:

If the kick scores, it is retaken (not disallowed).

If it misses, an indirect free kick is awarded (unless the defense clearly benefits, triggering advantage).

In penalty shootouts, such incidents count as misses.

Intentional double touches result in an immediate indirect free kick.

5. New AI-Powered Semi-Automated Offside Technology

FIFA confirmed the tournament will debut a computer-led system to prevent injuries from delayed offside flags. The system automatically signals assistants when a player is offside by over 4 inches (≈10 cm), aiming to avoid incidents like the serious injury to Nottingham Forest's Taiwo Awoniyi.

6. Referees to Wear Cameras for Live Perspective

Referees will wear cameras mounted on headsets at eye level, providing TV and stadium audiences with a new viewpoint. While only the pre-match coin toss will be broadcast live, critical moments (e.g., goals) from the referee’s perspective will appear on screens and assist VAR decisions.

7. Stadium Fans to View VAR Footage Simultaneously

Big screens will allow spectators to watch VAR reviews in real time, enhancing transparency for fouls and offsides. However, referee-VAR conversations remain private and will only be released post-match.

8. Digital Substitution Requests via Tablets

Coaches can input substitution orders directly on tablets, eliminating handwritten notes to the fourth official. The fourth official will confirm the digital request and execute substitutions at dead balls, reducing communication errors.

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup begins on June 15 in the U.S., featuring 32 teams in a revamped quadrennial format. The eight new rules aim to modernize officiating and engage fans more deeply in the action.