The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to introduce a number of law changes to the global game, and the Premier League has been weighing which of those adjustments to carry into the English top flight. Some have been embraced; others have been turned down.

The rules the Premier League has accepted

One of the most talked-about changes is the introduction of time limits for VAR checks. Under the new framework being trialled at international level, referees and VAR officials must complete their review within a set window, reducing the lengthy delays that have frustrated players and supporters alike.

The Premier League has also agreed to adopt the rule on mistaken identity — a scenario in which the wrong player is shown a card due to a referee's error. Under the revised law, VAR can now intervene to ensure the correct player receives the sanction, even after the original decision has been made on the pitch.

Goal kicks will also see a change, with players no longer required to leave the penalty area before the ball is played. This adjustment, which has been used at World Cup level, allows teams to build out from the back more efficiently and has been welcomed by coaches who favour a possession-based approach.

The return of the dropped ball in certain situations has also been confirmed, giving referees a cleaner mechanism to restart play without controversy when the ball has gone out due to an injury or another stoppage that does not warrant a free kick to either side.

What the Premier League has rejected

Not all World Cup innovations have made the cut. The league has declined to adopt certain experimental measures that IFAB — the International Football Association Board, the body responsible for the laws of the game — had been trialling at other competitions. Officials are understood to be cautious about disrupting the rhythm of the Premier League season, particularly mid-campaign.

The decisions reflect a broader debate inside football about the pace of rule changes. Traditionalists argue that too many adjustments in a short period risk confusing players, managers, and fans; reformers counter that modernising the rulebook is essential to keeping football competitive and fair at every level.

With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, involving a record 48 nations competing across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the alignment between domestic leagues and international football has never been more closely scrutinised. How the Premier League handles these changes could set a template for other top leagues around the world.