New Rules Approved for Goalkeepers’ Ball Holding and Offside Decisions

Imagine playing soccer and wanting to make the game more exciting and fair. That’s exactly what the International Football Association Board (IFAB) has done by introducing new rules for goalkeepers and offside decisions. These changes aim to speed up the game and make it more fun for everyone.
New Rule for Goalkeepers
Starting July 1, 2025, goalkeepers will have eight seconds to hold the ball before they must pass it to a teammate. If they hold it for longer than eight seconds, the opposing team will get a corner kick. This is a big change from the current rule, where goalkeepers get an indirect free kick if they hold the ball for more than six seconds.
Why This Rule Matters
This new rule is designed to stop goalkeepers from wasting time. Sometimes, goalkeepers hold the ball too long to slow down the game, which can be frustrating for fans and players alike. By giving them a shorter time limit and a stricter penalty, the game will become faster and more exciting.
How Referees Will Enforce This Rule
Referees will use a visual five-second countdown to remind goalkeepers when they are running out of time. This means goalkeepers will know exactly when they need to act quickly to avoid giving away a corner kick.
Impact on the Game
This rule change will affect how teams play soccer. Goalkeepers will need to be quicker, and opposing teams might try to put more pressure on them to make mistakes. This could lead to more exciting moments in the game, like quick counterattacks and unexpected goals.
New Offside Trials
The IFAB is also working on new offside rules to make the game more exciting. They want to encourage attacking football by allowing players to be considered onside if their torso is aligned with the second-to-last defender. This means more opportunities for goals and thrilling plays.
Other Changes
In addition to these rules, the IFAB has made some other important changes:
- Team Captains: Only the team captain will be allowed to talk to the referee in certain situations. This is to promote respect and fairness in the game.
- Dropped Ball: If the ball is outside the penalty area when play stops, it will be dropped for the team that would have gained possession. Otherwise, it will be dropped for the team that last touched it.
- VAR Announcements: Referees can now make announcements after a VAR review to keep everyone informed about what’s happening.
What’s Next?
These new rules will start being used in competitions like the FIFA Club World Cup in June 2025. Fans and players are excited to see how these changes will make the game more enjoyable and fair.
In Other News
While these rule changes are making headlines, other interesting developments are happening in the soccer world:
- New Technology Trials: FIFA is testing body cameras for referees to improve training and safety. This technology has shown positive results in reducing player misbehavior.
- Concussion Awareness: FIFA’s “Suspect and Protect” campaign is expanding to more countries, focusing on player safety and concussion awareness.
- Football Video Support: A new cost-effective video system is being tested to enhance match officiating with fewer cameras.
These innovations show that soccer is constantly evolving to become a better sport for everyone involved.
Conclusion
The new rules for goalkeepers and offside decisions are exciting changes that will make soccer faster and more thrilling. By speeding up the game and encouraging attacking play, these changes will bring more joy to fans and players alike. As the soccer world adapts to these new rules, we can expect a more dynamic and engaging game in the years to come.
Source:
- https://www.theifab.com/news/the-ifab-tackles-goalkeeper-time-wasting/
- https://www.beinsports.com/en-us/soccer/articles-video/new-goalkeeper-rule-how-will-it-impact-the-game-2025-03-01
- https://inside.fifa.com/media-releases/ifab-tackles-goalkeeper-time-wasting
- https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/ceqjr1n27dgo
- https://www.tntsports.co.uk/football/new-rules-confirmed-ifab-goalkeepers-holding-onto-ball-for-too-long-202526-season_sto20085973/story.shtml
- https://onefootball.com/en/news/new-goalkeeper-timewasting-rules-confirmed-for-202526-40781692
- https://www.observerbd.com/news/514577
- https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/ifab-changes-rule-counter-time-wasting-goalkeepers-2025-03-01/