Brazilian Football to Adopt World Cup Rules to Increase Playing Time

Brazilian football is set to undergo significant changes aimed at increasing the actual time the ball is in play. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) and clubs from the first and second divisions have approved a package of ten new refereeing rules designed to make matches more dynamic.

Several of these new guidelines have been implemented in the World Cup. Starting next matchday, they will apply across all divisions of the Brazilian Championship, the Copa do Brasil, and the Women's first division. Current statistics from the CBF show that the Brasileirão Serie A averages only about 52 minutes and 54 seconds of ball-in-play time, falling short of FIFA's ideal target of 60 minutes. The CBF anticipates these changes will recover approximately 5 minutes and 49 seconds of action per game.

Among the key modifications are strict time limits for goalkeepers: eight seconds to hold the ball and five seconds for goal kicks after the referee's whistle, with a corner kick awarded to the opponent for violations. Substitutes must leave the field within ten seconds via the nearest point, and players requiring medical attention on the pitch must exit and wait one minute before returning. Notably, if a goalkeeper needs medical attention, a designated outfield player from the same team must serve the one-minute sideline time.

The new regulations also introduce the "Vini Jr. Protocol," which mandates direct expulsion for players who cover their mouths when arguing with opponents. Furthermore, the VAR system's authority will expand to review second yellow cards that lead to an expulsion. To support these changes, the CBF plans to invest approximately 200 million reais (about $39 million) between 2026 and 2027, specifically for technology, equipment, and referee training.