Japan benefit from new World Cup substitution rule

Japan became one of the first teams to benefit from the new time-limited substitution rule introduced by Ifab for the World Cup. During a friendly match against Iceland on Sunday, Japan utilized the new protocol to snatch a 1-0 win, with Koki Ogawa scoring an 87th-minute header while Iceland were temporarily down to 10 players.

Under the new rules, players have 10 seconds to exit the field at the nearest point during a substitution. Failure to comply results in the substitute being forced to wait for at least one minute or until the next stoppage, leaving the team playing with one fewer player. Iceland winger Isak Thorvaldsson was caught by this rule, preventing his entry and creating a defensive gap.

I thought the players handled the new rule adjustments today with almost no issues. Under the new rules, players won't necessarily be able to get back on the pitch as quickly as before. That's something we need to be mindful of. Hajime Moriyasu

Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu highlighted the importance of clear communication during the newly introduced three-minute hydration breaks. He suggested that mastering these brief intervals could prove decisive for teams throughout the tournament.

The competition is seeing several legislative changes aimed at curbing time-wasting, including five-second limits for throw-ins and goal-kicks, and a one-minute mandatory absence for players receiving off-field treatment. These measures are part of a broader effort by Fifa to maintain a higher tempo compared to the 2022 tournament.