Rabat – FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that a major change to the offside rule is under serious review ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Originally suggested by Arsene Wenger, the proposal would redefine offside in a way that favors attackers. Under current regulations, even a toe or shoulder beyond the line can trigger an offside call. By contrast, the new rule stipulates that a player would only be offside if their entire body is ahead of the last defender. This change could have a big impact on how football is played. It would give attackers more freedom to time their runs and stay closer to the goal without being penalized. Defenders would need to adjust their positioning and timing, while goalkeepers might face more one-on-one situations. The result could be more goals, faster transitions, and fewer interruptions due to marginal offside decisions.Infantino spoke at the World Sports Summit in Dubai, where he also mentioned other innovations being tested in 2025 tournaments. These include a “green card” system allowing teams to request VAR reviews, referee body cameras for transparency, and an eight-second rule for goalkeepers to release the ball faster. All these measures aim to make the game quicker, fairer, and more exciting.FIFA is collecting data from these trials to decide which changes will be adopted for the 2026 World Cup. If the offside rule is updated, it could mark one of the biggest shifts in football tactics in decades, encouraging more attacking play and reducing controversy over tight offside calls
>>152756003the problem with GKs holding the ball is how it's enforced. they should whistle it every time and it be a corner. no one is going to whistle for free kicks inside the fucking box so gks get to dick around for like 30 sedonds
>>152756003>the new rule stipulates that a player would only be offside if their entire body is ahead of the last defenderI've been saying this for decades. It doesn't really change how offensive play works but it makes offsides much easier to judge. But since the change will inevitably result in an increase in goals per game, it should be paired with something like shrinking the penalty area and only giving out penalty kicks for extremely obvious fouls instead of every time a player slips on the grass.
>>152756397>but it makes offsides much easier to judge.not for the linespersonsrecognizing if a player is ahead at all is easier than if the player is ahead completely
>attackers spend all game with one leg outstretched just enough to be onside and just get the ball pumped long to themthanks for fixing football baldie
>>152756429Linesmen are largely irrelevant now due to VAR and goal line technology.
>Wonga ruined offsides>Arteta ruined cornersArseanal are like a little kid who destroys everything on a temper tantrum because they can't get what they want.
I'll dance on his grave.
>>152756003Bald fraud
>>152756003Dumbest idea ever. Just more pandering to pacebabies with no other skills, but teams will play more defensively as a result to not get caught in a weak momentDetermining this will be even harder for refs, being ahead at all is easier to tell. Semi-automatic offside renders this moot in pro football, but 99.99% of games don’t have VARIf they want to change anything, then make offside all about the feet. That would actually be easier than the „where does the shoulder start?“ stuff we have in some situations Generally, the game really does not need a change to this aspect
>>152756003They stole this from American sports. This is the hockey offside rule
