The FIFA World Cup 2026 will not only be historic due to the number of participating teams and the tournament’s new format, but also because of the continued evolution of the rules of the game. One of the aspects that has changed the most over the years is the substitution system, a tool that is now essential both tactically and for managing players’ physical condition.

To understand how substitutions will work in this edition, it is worth briefly reviewing how this rule has evolved throughout World Cup history.

In the early editions of the World Cup, substitutions simply did not exist. Between 1930 and 1954, teams had to play the entire match with the same 11 players who started the game. This meant that if a player suffered an injury, the team had to continue with fewer players on the field.

It was during the Switzerland 1954 World Cup that a limited substitution was first allowed in case of injury. However, the rules were still restrictive and applied only in specific situations.

By England 1966, this rule remained partial and was only applicable in certain medical contexts. It wasn’t until Mexico 1970 that tactical substitutions were officially introduced, allowing coaches to make changes for strategic reasons and not just due to injury.

The first substitution recorded in World Cup history took place during the opening match of Mexico 1970 between Mexico and the Soviet Union. Anatoli Puzach left the field to make way for Viktor Serebryanikov, marking a historic moment in international football.

Over time, the rule continued to evolve. In the United States 1994 World Cup, a second substitution was allowed, along with an additional change exclusively for the goalkeeper in case of injury. Later, France 1998 officially established the limit of three substitutions regardless of player position.

That format remained in place for many years, including the Russia 2018 World Cup, although with an important modification: if the match went into extra time, each team was granted an additional substitution.

The major transformation came in Qatar 2022, when the use of five substitutions per match was approved, a measure initially introduced to reduce players’ physical strain in increasingly demanding schedules.

How Many Substitutions Will There Be in the 2026 World Cup?

For the FIFA World Cup 2026, the system used in Qatar will remain:

Each team will be allowed to make five substitutions during regular time.

There will be one additional substitution in case of extra time.

In addition, new measures will be implemented to speed up the pace of the game. One of the most important will be the time allowed for a player to leave the field.

When a player is substituted, they will have a maximum of 10 seconds to leave the pitch. If they exceed that time, they must still leave the field, but their team will not be able to immediately bring on the substitute for one minute, meaning they will temporarily play with one fewer player.

This measure aims to reduce deliberate time-wasting and maintain the intensity of the spectacle.

A More Dynamic Game

The increase in the number of substitutions has completely transformed modern strategy. Coaches can now adjust tactical systems, refresh entire lines, and better respond to the physical demands of matches.

FIFA believes that reducing interruptions and maintaining the rhythm directly benefits the spectacle, something especially important in a tournament as demanding as the World Cup.

The 2026 edition will reflect how football continues to adapt to the speed and intensity of the modern game. With more substitutions and new rules to keep the pace high, a more dynamic, competitive, and physically intense World Cup is expected.

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