IFAB prepares changes for penalties and VAR!

The International Football Association Board, which aims to make fundamental changes to the rules of football, is working on new regulations. According to a report by The Times, IFAB plans to introduce new rules for penalty kicks and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system.

According to the proposed new penalty rule, if a penalty kick rebounds off the goalkeeper or the post, play will stop and the ball will be awarded to the opposing team as a goal kick. This change aims to prevent potential confusion that may arise after a penalty.

Proposals for the VAR system include allowing VAR to intervene in incorrect corner kick decisions and enabling VAR to be involved in second yellow card situations. With these regulations, it is aimed for VAR to contribute more to the game and to reduce referee errors.

For these changes to come into effect, a formal proposal will be presented at the meeting IFAB will hold in November. Subsequently, a vote will be held at the general assembly in March 2026. If the vote is positive, the new rules will be effective from June 1, 2026, and will be applied in the 2026 World Cup.