New World Cup substitution rule triggers red card and opponent goal in Japan‑Iceland friendly

A fresh substitution rule introduced for the 2026 World Cup was put to the test during the friendly between Japan and Iceland. The regulation states that if a player fails to leave the field within ten seconds, the substitution is void, yet the player must still exit the pitch.

Japanese players exceeded the time limit, leading the referee to cancel the change while the team remained a man short. The numerical disadvantage allowed Iceland to score, influencing the final result.

Officials are now reviewing the rule’s impact and possible exemptions.