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Laws of the game
2026/27
2025/26
About the laws
Notes and modifications
Notes on the Laws
General Modifications
Time-limited substitution protocol
Off-field treatment and assessment protocol
Throw-in and goal-kick countdown protocol
‘Only the captain’ guidelines
Guidelines for Temporary Dismissals
Guidelines for Return Substitutes
Additional permanent concussion substitutions protocol
Laws 1-17
1
The Field of Play
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1
The Field of Play
1.1
Field surface
1.2
Field markings
1.3
Dimensions
1.4
Dimensions for international matches
1.5
The goal area
1.6
The penalty area
1.7
The corner area
1.8
Flagposts
1.9
The technical area
1.10
Goals
1.11
Goal Line Technology (GLT)
1.12
Commercial advertising
1.13
Logos and emblems
1.14
Video assistant referees (VARs)
2
The Ball
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2
The Ball
2.1
Qualities and measurements
2.2
Replacement of a defective ball
2.3
Additional balls
3
The Players
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3
The Players
3.1
Number of players
3.2
Number of substitutions
3.3
Substitution procedure
3.4
Changing the goalkeeper
3.5
Offences and sanctions
3.6
Players and substitutes sent off
3.7
Extra persons on the field of play
3.8
Player outside the field of play
3.9
Goal scored with an extra person on the field of play
3.10
Team captain
4
The Players' Equipment
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4
The Players' Equipment
4.1
Safety
4.2
Compulsory equipment
4.3
Colours
4.4
Other equipment
4.5
Slogans, statements, images and advertising
4.6
Offences and sanctions
5
The Referee
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5
The Referee
5.1
The authority of the referee
5.2
Decisions of the referee
5.3
Powers and duties
5.4
Video assistant referee (VAR)
5.5
Referee's equipment
5.6
Referee signals
5.7
Liability of match officials
6
The Other Match Officials
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6
The Other Match Officials
Introduction
6.1
Assistant referees
6.2
Fourth official
6.3
Additional assistant referees
6.4
Reserve assistant referee
6.5
Video match officials
6.6
Assistant referee signals
6.7
Additional assistant referee signals
7
The Duration of the Match
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7
The Duration of the Match
7.1
Periods of play
7.2
Half-time interval
7.3
Allowance for time lost
7.4
Penalty kick
7.5
Abandoned match
8
The Start and Restart of Play
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8
The Start and Restart of Play
Introduction
8.1
Kick-off
8.2
Dropped ball
9
The Ball in and out of Play
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9
The Ball in and out of Play
9.1
Ball out of play
9.2
Ball in play
10
Determining the Outcome of a Match
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10
Determining the Outcome of a Match
10.1
Goal scored
10.2
Winning team
10.3
Penalties (penalty shoot-out)
11
Offside
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11
Offside
11.1
Offside position
11.2
Offside offence
11.3
No offence
11.4
Offences and sanctions
12
Fouls and Misconduct
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12
Fouls and Misconduct
Introduction
12.1
Direct free kick
12.2
Indirect free kick
12.3
Corner kick
12.4
Disciplinary action
12.5
Restart of play after fouls and misconduct
13
Free Kicks
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13
Free Kicks
13.1
Types of free kick
13.2
Procedure
13.3
Offences and sanctions
14
The Penalty Kick
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14
The Penalty Kick
Introduction
14.1
Procedure
14.2
Offences and sanctions
14.3
Summary table
15
The Throw-in
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15
The Throw-in
Introduction
15.1
Procedure
15.2
Offences and sanctions
16
The Goal Kick
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16
The Goal Kick
Introduction
16.1
Procedure
16.2
Offences and sanctions
17
The Corner Kick
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17
The Corner Kick
Introduction
17.1
Procedure
17.2
Offences and sanctions
VAR protocol
FIFA Quality Programme
Glossary
Referee Terms
Football Bodies
Football Terms
Guidelines for Match Officials
Introduction
Positioning, movement and teamwork
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Positioning, movement and teamwork
1
General positioning and movement
2
Positioning and teamwork
Body language, communication and whistle
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Body language, communication and whistle
1
Referees
2
Assistant referees
3
Additional assistant referees
Other advice
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Other advice
1
Advantage
2
Allowance for time lost
3
Holding an opponent
4
Offside
5
Injuries
6
Treatment/assessment after a caution/sending-off
PDF Downloads
Audio Files
Law changes
2026/27
2025/26
TRIALS
Goalkeeper injury
VAR - attacking team offence before the ball is in play
COOLING-OFF PERIODS
Deliberate heading
The IFAB
Background
Organisation
Work process
Calendar
Documents
News
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News
Latest IFAB News
31 MAY 26
The IFAB clarifies VAR protocol for attacking-team offences before the ball is in play
28 APR 26
The IFAB unanimously approves red card for players covering their mouths to conceal discriminator...
28 FEB 26
The IFAB introduces further measures to improve match flow and player behaviour
3 FEB 26
Agenda for The IFAB’s 140th Annual General Meeting confirmed
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