2026/27 season changes · In force since 1 July 2026. Where they differ from the summary below, these changes take precedence.
- Dropped ball: who restarts: The dropped ball is awarded to the team that would have kept or gained possession (including the restart if the ball had gone out of play). If it touches a match official or outside agent, it is dropped where the contact occurred.
- Glossary: restart position: New definition of restart position: a player's location at the restart, marked by the feet or body part in contact with the ground (offside excepted); if airborne, by the projection of where the feet would touch the ground.
Kick-off
A goal may be scored directly against the opponents from the kick-off. The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves. All opponents must be in their own half.
Dropped ball: to whom
If the ball was in the penalty area when play stopped, or the last touch was inside the penalty area, it is dropped for the defending goalkeeper.
Dropped ball: all other cases
In all other cases, it is dropped for one player of the team that last touched the ball, at the position where it was last touched.
Distance
All other players of both teams must remain at least 4 metres away until the ball is in play.
Goal direct from a dropped ball
A goal cannot be scored directly from a dropped ball. If the ball enters the goal without touching another player, a goal kick or corner kick is awarded.
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