Football / Protocols & guidance
Notes and permitted modifications
IFAB · 2026/27In short
Which parts of football may be adapted, and by whom.
All levels
The responsible national association, confederation or FIFA may authorise the listed organisational changes. Competition options are not automatically active everywhere.
- Up to five substitutions in official competitions; youth limits are set by the responsible authority. Extra-time provisions and substitution opportunities remain subject to Law 3.
- Additional permanent concussion substitutions using the complete IFAB protocol.
- Only-the-captain guidelines, becoming compulsory for competitions starting on or after 1 July 2027.
Youth, veterans, disability and grassroots
Authorities may adapt pitch dimensions, ball specifications, goal dimensions, equal half lengths (including extra time), player numbers, return substitutions, sin bins and requirements for the captain’s armband.
- National associations, confederations and FIFA determine youth and veterans age boundaries. National associations define their grassroots competitions.
- IFAB permission is required for trials. The document identifies goalkeeper-injury delays and alternative offside concepts as trial areas for 2026/27.
Independent explanations and translations, not official federation publications. Competition options are labelled separately. Check which options your competition has adopted.
Sources & approach ↗
Sources & approach ↗