Report.az
FIFA plans to change the offside rule before the 2026 World Cup.
According to "Report", referring to "Mundo Deportivo", former referee Eduardo Iturralde Gonzalez spoke about this.
The discussion concerns the offside rule known as the "Wenger Law" – its author is former football player and coach, currently FIFA's director for global football development, Arsène Wenger.
According to Wenger's initiative, offside will only be recorded if there is a clear gap between the attacker and the defender. If the players are on the same line – even partially, for example, if the attacker's heel coincides with the defender's foot – then this will not be considered offside.
Iturralde noted: "The process is as follows: at the end of October or November, a committee of experts consisting of 23 players and 11 referees reviews the new proposals. The most interesting thing is that Wenger himself, the author of the initiative, heads this committee. If the idea passes this stage, it is presented at the annual meeting on January 20, and then at the general meeting held at the end of February or the beginning of March. 95% of the proposals that reach this stage are usually approved."
It was noted that the new rule may already be tested in 2026 - on the eve of the World Championship.
