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Gary Neville Applauds FIFA’s ‘Unbelievable’ World Cup Rule Reforms

Former England star Gary Neville has praised FIFA for introducing a set of major rule updates ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The Manchester United icon believes the newly implemented measures, aimed at eliminating deliberate time-wasting and improving transparency on the pitch, will greatly enhance the experience for fans inside stadiums around the world.

New and strict regulations implemented

The tournament kicks off on Thursday evening with co-hosts Mexico taking on South Africa, as teams get used to the newly structured regulations. FIFA has rolled out several groundbreaking changes, including a strict 10-second limit for substitutions and a five-second countdown for throw-ins and goal-kicks. If a player fails to leave the field promptly, their team must play with one player fewer for a full minute — a penalty Iceland already experienced in a recent friendly against Japan.

Neville supports anti-time-wasting initiatives

These sweeping updates have received overwhelming support from prominent pundits who have long criticised time-wasting tactics that break the rhythm of matches. Speaking on The Overlap, Neville commented: “I think this is an unbelievable introduction — time-limited substitutions. I love that. It’s so frustrating watching players stroll off the pitch. Teams have been manipulating the system. You can criticise FIFA for a lot of things, but they often get it right when it comes to refereeing matters. These are smart changes that will make the game more enjoyable for fans.”

He further added: “We’ve got some new rules coming in for the World Cup. I’m completely in favour of the throw-in countdown. The amount of time wasted in the Premier League is unreal — we mentioned it countless times last season. So I really like that addition. Over the past year, teams have been halting play for nearly a minute to set up for free-kicks or throw-ins. Whether it’s League Two or the Premier League, the ball stays out of play for too long. This is a good change.”

‘A good rule!’ — FIFA enforces transparency by banning mouth-covering

Among the new regulations, players are now prohibited from covering their mouths during heated exchanges to ensure full transparency. This rule was introduced following a controversial Champions League incident involving Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni and Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior. Supporting this step, Ian Wright said: “That’s a good rule. You can’t prove anything if players cover their mouths, so I think it’s a good move. I like it — it’s good for me.”

However, Roy Keane voiced reasonable concerns about player welfare under extreme heat conditions, arguing: “Some of the new rules are about speeding up the game, but it’s strange they’re being introduced now, when players are already dealing with tough conditions. If ever players needed to slow things down, it’s now — considering the temperatures in some of these venues.”

Tactical evolution under observation

Managers will need to adjust their tactical approaches quickly to adapt to these strict new regulations, alongside mandatory three-minute hydration breaks per half. Top sides such as England and reigning champions Argentina will not play until Wednesday, giving them a chance to observe how referees apply the countdown rules during the opening fixtures. The real challenge will be whether teams can sustain their intensity without falling prey to automatic one-minute player suspensions.

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