Football’s substitution clock: what the 2026/27 laws say
The updated laws set a ten-second departure limit and explain the consequence of exceeding it.
IFAB’s published 2026/27 law changes include a time limit for a player leaving the field during a substitution. This is part of the published laws, rather than an unapproved suggestion.
The change
The departing player must normally be off the field within ten seconds of the board being shown, or the referee’s signal where no board is used. Safety, security and injury exceptions apply.
If the player exceeds that limit, they still have to leave. The replacement must wait until the first stoppage after a minute has elapsed following the restart, and needs the referee’s permission to enter.
What supporters should watch
A delay can therefore leave the team temporarily short of a player. The important moments are the substitution signal, the restart and the subsequent stoppage—not simply the moment the replacement reaches the touchline.
The source below sets out the detailed procedure and exceptions. Check the regulations used by the competition you are watching. This report covers the 2026/27 laws and does not claim that every competition introduced them on the same matchday.
Sources
This report was drafted with AI assistance from the official sources listed above and reviewed before publication.
