Law 3: The Players3. Substitution procedure·Page 61, 2026/27 edition

3. Substitution procedure

The provision as it is printed, and everything on Ruleside that turns on it.

To replace a player with a substitute, the ‘Time-limited substitution protocol' under ‘Notes and modifications' and the following must be observed:
the player being substituted:
· must be off the field of play within ten seconds of the substitution board being shown or, where there is no board, of the referee's signal for the substitution to take place, except where this is not possible due to safety/security or injury
IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, page 61 · clause law-3-64703087

Explained in the rules library 2

The plain-language pages that build on this provision.

Changed for 2026/27 1

What this provision replaced, and when it took effect.

10-Second Substitution Rule

Questions that ask it 1

Points in a walk where the reader is deciding this provision.

Did the player excessively delay the restart beyond the ten seconds?players

The Laws of the Game are published by The IFAB and quoted here for the purpose of explaining the decisions on this site. Ruleside is not affiliated with The IFAB or FIFA. Every clause of The Players that Ruleside cites.