The South American organization will implement new rules starting in July to speed up the game and reduce time wastage, although it postponed the implementation of some changes promoted by the IFAB
While all attention is focused on the final stretch of the 2026 World Cup, CONMEBOL confirmed a series of regulatory modificationsthat will begin to be applied after the national team tournament in all its official competitions. Through a circular sent to member associations, the South American body adopted much of the changes approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) for the 2026/27 Laws of the Game, aiming to reduce time wastage and provide greater continuity to matches.
One of the most important new features will be related to substitutions. From now on, the substituted player must leave the field within a maximum of ten seconds once the substitution is authorized. If they delay their exit without a justified reason, the incoming player must wait for the next interruption to enter the field.
Additionally, the criteria for sanctioning goalkeepers who hold onto the ball for too long will also change. If a goalkeeper retains possession for more thaneight seconds, the referee will award a corner kick to the opposing team. Before reaching the limit, the referee will conduct a visible countdown to warn the player. This measure replaces the indirect free kick that was included in the previous regulations and was rarely enforced.
The goalkeeper can only hold the ball for 8 seconds in their hands, otherwise a corner will be awarded to the opposing team
Another modification aims to avoid delays in restarts. When a player deliberately delays the execution of a throw-in or a goal kick, the referee will start a five-second countdown. If time runs out, the throw-in will be awarded to the opponent, while a goal kick not executed within the time limit will result in a corner for the opposing team.
Furthermore, CONMEBOL will maintain the restriction for players receiving medical attention on the field. Those who need assistance will remain off the field for one minute before being allowed to re-enter, a measure aimed at discouraging unnecessary interruptions. The organization also confirmed that it will keep the current hydration break system of up to 90 seconds, without extending its duration despite the alternatives considered by IFAB.
Hydration breaks will remain in place and will maintain their duration of 1 minute and a half
On the other hand, the organization led by Alejandro Domínguez decided not to incorporate, for the moment, one of the innovations promoted by IFAB: the expansion of VAR's powers to review second yellow cards and decisions related to corner kicks. This possibility will continue to be evaluated before being implemented in continental tournaments.
The new provisions will come into effect in all tournaments organized by CONMEBOL that begin from July, with the intention of speeding up the pace of play and reducing interruptions.
When do the Copa Sudamericana and Copa Libertadores return
Once the World Cup is over, both competitions will resume. The first to do so will be "The Great Conquest", which will have its playoff matches, with the first legs scheduled for between Tuesday, July 21 and Thursday, July 23 and the return legs for between Tuesday, July 28 and Thursday, July 30 of the same month.
Meanwhile, "The Eternal Glory" will resume action with the round of 16 matches. Its first leg matches will take place between Tuesday, August 11 and Thursday, August 13, while the return legs will be held between Tuesday, August 18 and Thursday, August 20 of the same month.
