First victim of new rules — Iceland conceded after failing to make substitution in time
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 02.06.26. | 11:13
At the upcoming World Cup, we will see a host of new rules, and one of them requires substituted players to leave the pitch within 10 seconds
A newly introduced FIFA rule was put into action for the first time during a World Cup warm-up match between Japan and Iceland, immediately demonstrating its potential impact on games.
Under the regulation, any player being substituted must leave the field at the nearest available exit point within ten seconds. Failure to do so results in a significant penalty: the replacement player is forced to remain off the pitch for at least one minute, leaving their team temporarily a player short.
Iceland became the first side to feel the consequences of the change. During the friendly, Kristian Hlynsson was deemed too slow when leaving the field, preventing Isak Thorvaldsson from entering immediately. As a result, Iceland had to continue with ten men while the substitute waited alongside the fourth official.
Japan took full advantage of the numerical superiority late in the match. Koki Ogawa struck in the 87th minute, scoring what proved to be the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory. Hlynsson's frustration was evident as officials strictly enforced the new regulation, while Iceland paid the price in the closing stages.
The rule is one of several adjustments recently approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) and is already being tested in matches leading up to the World Cup.
The primary objective behind these changes is to reduce time-wasting and discourage tactics designed to disrupt the rhythm of games, ensuring a faster and more continuous flow of play.