2025/26 Law Changes Every Soccer Fan, Ref, and Coach Should Know

The new season is almost here, which means it’s time for fresh gear, fresh energy… and yes, fresh Law changes.

At Refs Need Love Too, we’re here to help you stay ahead of the game—whether you’re blowing the whistle, barking from the technical area, or simply trying to understand why your last offside call didn’t go your way.

If you want to listen to a full breakdown of each of the key new law changes, you can listen to our podcast linked here. Another phenomenal resource is the full presentation pulled together by U.S. Socceer with images and videos showing when and how to apply the new laws linked here.

Here’s a quick, no-nonsense rundown of the key updates to the Laws of the Game for 2025/26. We’ve trimmed the fluff and added just enough context so you can actually remember them come match day.

🔹 Law 3 – Only the Captain May Approach (Optional)

Competitions may choose to limit discussions with the referee to just the team captain—who must wear a clearly marked armband. There is also a new arm mechanic to show that the "only the captain" moment is in effect limiting anyone else from approaching the referee. It’s not mandatory, but the goal is to improve communication and cut down on the “11 angry players crowding the ref” moments.

👉 Why? Better dialogue, better control, less chaos.

🔹 Law 5 – New Referee Signal: The Countdown is On

When a goalkeeper controls the ball, the referee will now show a visual countdown during the last five seconds of their eight-second window to release it (see Law 12). Think of it as a visible shot clock—just without the buzzer. 

👉 Why? More clarity for everyone watching, playing, and reffing.

🔹 Law 8 – Dropped Ball Gets a Reset

Dropped ball procedures are now more specific:

• If it happens in the penalty area, the ball is dropped to the defending keeper.

• If it happens outside the area, it’s dropped to whoever would’ve clearly won possession—or, if unclear, to the team that last touched it.

👉 Why? More fairness, less confusion.

🔹 Law 9 – Accidental Touch? Indirect Free Kick, No Card.

If a coach, sub, or off-field player accidentally touches the ball without impacting play, it’s now just an indirect free kick—no caution required.

👉 Why? Intent matters on this one. If it’s clearly harmless, it doesn’t need to be punished with a card (unless it keeps happening).

🔹 Law 11 – Goalkeeper Throws & Offside: Clarified

For offside decisions involving goalkeeper throws, the last point of contact (not the first) now determines whether a player is offside.

👉 Why? Because the first point of contact for a GK holding the ball may be 8 seconds before the release.

🔹 Law 12 – 8-Second Goalkeeper Rule = Corner Kick

This one’s big:

• Keepers have 8 seconds to release the ball once they’re in full control (and not being pressured).

• Referees will visibly count down the last 5 seconds.

• If the count hits zero, the other team gets a corner kick.

• If attackers pressure the keeper during the countdown, the count pauses, and the keeper gets an indirect free kick.

• Repeat offenders? Still cautionable.

👉 Why? It’s time to crack down on time-wasting.

🔹 Law 16 – Goal Kick Gets Clarified

Law 16 now includes direct references to other related laws to help everyone interpret restarts consistently. No changes to mechanics, just cleaner cross-law language.

🔹 Law 17 – Corners: Nearest Corner, Always

Whether it’s a routine restart or the result of a time violation, corner kicks now must be taken from the nearest corner. Also, additional cross-references have been added to keep the rules cohesive.

🔹 VAR Protocol (Where Used) – Say It Out Loud

Competitions may allow referees to announce VAR decisions live to the stadium and players—a move already tested internationally. It’s optional, but expect more transparency where it's used.

👉 Why? Fans want to know what’s going on. So do players. This helps.

🟢 TL;DR – Here’s What to Remember:

✅ Goalkeepers now get 8 seconds to release the ball—or it’s a corner kick
✅ Only the captain may approach the referee (if competition allows)
✅ Dropped ball now favors whoever would’ve gained possession
✅ No card for accidental ball contact by coaches or subs
✅ VAR announcements can now be made by the referee
✅ Keeper throws & offside = last point of contact
✅ Corner kicks must come from the nearest corner

⚽ What This Means for You

Whether you’re reffing a U10 game, coaching varsity, or watching from the sidelines with a coffee in hand, knowing the Laws makes the game better for everyone.

Stay sharp, stay informed—and don’t let your next match be decided by a rule you didn’t know changed.

Want the full breakdown straight from IFAB?
📄 Click here to download the full 2025/26 Laws of the Game changes from IFAB