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:
· receives the referee's permission to leave the field of play, unless already off the field, and must leave by the nearest point on the boundary line unless the referee indicates that the player may leave directly and immediately at the halfway line or another point (e.g. for safety/security or injury)
IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, page 61 · clause law-3-c519539a

Verdicts that turn on it 1

Walk the tree to any of these and this clause is part of the answer.

During a stoppage, at the halfway line, after the other player has left, on the referee's signalplayers

Explained in the rules library 1

The plain-language pages that build on this provision.

Entering & Leaving the Field Without Permission

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.