Determining Group Standings
Goal difference will be the second factor considered when two teams finish level on points. The first thing taken into account will be their head-to-head result.
Drinks Breaks
In the middle of each half (or at the next stoppage in play), the game and the clock will be stopped for three minutes so players can have a drink. This is a measure to protect against the extreme heat currently prevailing in North America. This means matches will be extended by at least six minutes. The breaks will be mandatory in every match, regardless of the weather conditions.
Weather Interruptions
Some matches may be stopped for longer periods due to weather. In the USA, strict safety rules apply if lightning is detected near stadiums. According to these rules, sporting events must be immediately suspended if meteorological sensors detect lightning within a 13-kilometre radius of the stadium.
In such cases, all activities are halted, spectators may be asked to leave the stands, and there is a minimum half-hour break. If another lightning strike occurs during this time or further signs of storm activity appear, the countdown resets to zero.
Severe storms are very common in the USA during the summer, as participants in last year’s Club World Cup found out. Several matches were interrupted due to lightning.
VAR System
Video assistant referees will have greater powers and will review more situations. These include red cards given after an obviously incorrect second yellow, or cases where the referee has booked the wrong player.
From now on, VAR can also review wrongly awarded corners or fouls, provided it can be done immediately and does not delay the continuation of play.
At the same time, thanks to semi-automated technology, offsides will be assessed instantly, so referees on the pitch won’t have to wait.
They will receive a message in their earpiece about clear offside positions (greater than 10 centimetres) so they can stop play immediately and not allow the action to continue.
Assistants will still wait for the action to finish in cases of doubt, but now the video referee can help them straight away.
Artificial Intelligence
The whole system will be sped up thanks to a chip that will be embedded in every ball used at the tournament. This chip will track every movement of the ball and can record up to 500 data points per second, converting them into a 3D model.
Artificial intelligence will create a three-dimensional avatar for each player, which will also be used to determine offside positions.
These avatars should also appear in animations, which until now have only used generic silhouettes. Both technologies are intended to improve clarity and help determine whether an offside player obstructed the goalkeeper’s view or whether the ball crossed the touchline or goal-line during a goalscoring action.
At the tournament, FIFA will provide all national teams with extensive statistics and an analytics programme using artificial intelligence.
The aim is to reduce the gap in tactical preparation between larger and smaller teams. Referees will also use artificial intelligence, wearing micro-cameras on their heads in every match, giving fans a unique view of the action on the pitch.
Dismissals
The rules have also been amended. Players will now receive a red card if they cover their mouths while talking to an opponent or the referee, especially in contentious situations.
This follows an incident involving Gianluca Prestianni in this season’s Champions League, when he spoke towards Vinicius Jr of Real Madrid with his shirt covering his mouth.
The Brazilian then accused the Benfica striker of racially abusing him. Prestianni was given a six-match ban by UEFA.
According to the rules coming into force at the start of the tournament, referees can also send off a player who leaves the pitch in protest at their decisions. This is a response to the controversial end of this year’s African Cup of Nations final, when the entire Senegal team left for the dressing room in protest at a penalty awarded to Morocco. Any team causing a match to be interrupted in this way will forfeit the game.
Time-wasting
For goal kicks or throw-ins, referees will visibly count down a five-second limit on the fingers of their raised hand. If a team fails to restart play within this time, possession will go to the opposition. After a late goal kick, the other team will be awarded a corner; after a late throw-in, the other team will take the throw.
When making substitutions, players will now have only 10 seconds to leave the pitch. They must do so at the nearest point where they can cross the touchline. If the departing player fails to leave in time, their replacement can only enter the field at the first stoppage after the penalty minute has elapsed.
If a player is injured and the team doctor comes onto the pitch, treatment must take place off the field. The player can only return to the match at least one minute after play has restarted. The exceptions are goalkeepers and teammates who are treated after a collision with each other.
Only seriously injured players (for example, after a concussion or other head injuries) can receive medical attention directly on the pitch. During treatment of the goalkeeper, other players must not leave the field or talk to the coach.
Pre-match Ceremony
The pre-match ceremony has also changed. Instead of the traditional line-ups, all players, including substitutes, will stand around the centre circle to listen to the national anthems.
The players’ entrance onto the pitch through special arches will be accompanied by a light show and smoke effects. Afterwards, both teams will face each other on the centre circle as the anthems are played.
After the ceremony, the usual handshakes and coin toss will follow. The new feature is the involvement of the entire squad, including substitutes. FIFA wants to give even those players who do not take part in the match a chance to experience the atmosphere. There will also be huge flags of both countries covering the remaining space on the pitch.