In this article, we will explore the new football rules that were implemented in 2025.
To help clubs, managers, players, referees, and spectators get ready for the upcoming season, here is a condensed version of the major legal changes to the rules for this year.
Major Rules Changes in football 2025
Law 3 – The Players
- Competitions can choose to follow the “Only the captain” rules.
Law 5 – The Referee
- Referees will use this signal to count down the final five seconds of the eight-second limit on goalkeepers using their hands or arms to control the ball.
Law 8 – The Start and Restart of Play – Dropped ball
- If the ball was as follows when play was stopped:
- The ball is dropped for the goalie of the opposing team inside their penalty area.
- If it is obvious to the referee that the ball has or would have been in possession outside the penalty area, the ball is dropped for that player; if not, it is dropped for the player from the team that last touched it. When play was halted, the ball was dropped at its location.
Law 9 – The Ball in and out of Play
- When a team official, substitute, sent-off player, or player who is momentarily off the field of play touches the ball as it is leaving the field of play and there is no intention to interfere unfairly, it is an indirect free kick with no disciplinary consequences.
Law 11 – Offside
- The final point of contact should be used to determine an offside position when the goalie throws the ball.
Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct
- If a goalie uses their hand or arm to control the ball for longer than eight seconds, they will be penalized and the opposing team will be given a corner kick.
Law 16 – The Goal Kick
- Citations to other laws that describe circumstances that lead to a goal kick
Law 17 – The Corner Kick
- Citations to other laws describing circumstances that lead to a corner kick
- When penalized, the kick will be taken from the corner closest to the goalie’s position.
Video assistant referee (VAR) protocol
- In competitions, the referee may choose to announce following a lengthy VAR “check” or a VAR “review.”
New football rules 2025 no extra time
The idea of removing extra time from football matches has been considered, but it is not yet an official or universal rule for the 2025–26 season. At present, most leagues continue with the traditional format.
However, UEFA is actively debating whether to eliminate extra time in Champions League knockout fixtures. If this proposal is approved, matches ending in a draw after 90 minutes would head straight to penalty shootouts, bypassing the usual 30 minutes of added play.
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The main motivation behind this potential reform is to ease player workload. With congested schedules and rising concerns about fatigue and injuries, football authorities are exploring ways to make high-stakes competitions less physically draining without losing excitement for fans.
