Gary Neville praises FIFA for 'unbelievable' World Cup rule changes
Gary Neville has publicly backed FIFA's new rules, including a 10-second substitution limit, ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
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Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, FIFA has introduced strict new regulations to combat time-wasting. Key measures include a 10-second limit for substitutions and a five-second countdown for throw-ins and goal-kicks. Failure to adhere to these timings results in the team playing a man down for one minute—a penalty Iceland has already suffered against Japan.
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has lauded the changes, arguing that negative tactics have long disrupted the flow of football. Speaking on The Overlap, he praised FIFA's proactive approach to refereeing and game management.
I think this is an unbelievable introduction – time-limited substitutions. I love that. It’s so annoying watching players walk off slowly. The players and teams are gaming the system. You can criticise FIFA for many things but I do think they get their referee stuff right. Gary Neville
New guidelines also prohibit players from covering their mouths during altercations to ensure transparency, a move supported by Ian Wright. However, Roy Keane has raised concerns regarding player welfare, pointing out the contradiction of increasing the pace of play while facing extreme summer temperatures in host venues.