FIFA Club World Cup ushers in historic changes: 8 new rules for the stadium are launched for the first time

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is not only a peak showdown for top clubs around the world, but will also become a milestone event in football history. FIFA will pilot a series of new competition rules and cutting-edge technologies for the first time in this competition, aiming to improve the fairness, viewing and efficiency of the competition.

The following are eight key reforms to be implemented in this Club World Cup:

1. The new "5-second countdown" rules for goalkeepers

In order to prevent goalkeepers from deliberately delaying time, the referee will raise his arms after the goalkeeper controls the ball and start calculating the 5-second time limit. If the goalkeeper fails to send the ball within the prescribed time, the opponent will receive a corner chance.

This measure aims to speed up the pace of the competition and reduce invalid time, and is one of the most controversial and most concerned changes in this rule reform.

2. Only the captain can communicate with the referee

imitate the management methods of football, and only the captain of the team has the right to communicate with the referee. Any other player who speaks without authorization or interferes with the referee's law enforcement will be given a yellow card warning.

This adjustment is intended to improve the order on the field and avoid affecting the smoothness of the game due to multiple players surrounding the referee.

3. The coaching staff will no longer punish the ball if it accidentally touches the ball

If the substitute player or coach accidentally encounters the ball still in the game on the sidelines, the penalty kick or free kick will not be directly awarded, but the indirect free kick will be changed. This move is intended to mitigate excessive intervention in the game process.

4. New rules for penalty kicks: You can also re-kick the ball when you touch the ball twice when you touch the ball when you take the penalty kick (if the support foot slides, causing the ball to touch twice), as long as the ball eventually enters the net, you will not lose the chance of another penalty, but will require a re-free kick.

Previously, such situations would be called directly for fouls. Nowadays, the new rules pay more attention to the fairness of the game and avoid punishing the offensive party for non-subjective intentions.

5. The "referee perspective" camera system is introduced for the first time

In order to enhance the audience's immersion and understanding, this event will install a camera flush with the referee's sight for the first time. Although these shots will not be broadcast live in real time, when replaying key shots, they will provide the referee's first perspective image to help fans understand the referee's decisions more intuitively.

6. AI-assisted semi-automatic offside system: accurate to centimeter level

FIFA will enable the latest generation of AI-driven semi-automatic offside recognition system, which can accurately determine whether it is offside at the millimeter level, greatly reducing the possibility of human misjudgment.

This system has passed many tests and is considered an important upgrade direction for future VAR technology.

7. Video Assistant Referee (VAR) information is synchronously displayed to fans

In order to let fans understand the process of VAR intervention, the large screen at the game site will simultaneously play the VAR screen with the referee, including offside lines, contact actions, etc., to improve transparency and enhance the interactive experience of watching the game.

However, the audio recording of the communication between VAR and the referee will still be released after the game to ensure that the referee is not disturbed by external factors in making decisions.

8. Digitalization of coach substitution instructions: Say goodbye to handwritten notes

The coaching teams of each team will be equipped with a dedicated tablet computer to submit substitution applications, replacing the previous handwritten substitution orders. This move not only reduces mistakes, but also speeds up the substitution process, making the game more compact and efficient.

With the implementation of these bold and innovative rules and technologies, this Club World Cup is not only a contest for world champions, but also an experiment on the future of football. From improving the pace of the game to strengthening scientific and technological assistance, from strengthening discipline management to optimizing fan experience, every change may have a profound impact on future leagues at all levels around the world.