Football rules stories

Newest first

Explore Football rules

Editorial illustration of a referee holding a yellow card beside a video review monitor — Illustration: Curiosity Desk, created with image-generation tools and reviewed by an editor

World Explained · Football rules

Can VAR review a second yellow card? The 2026 rule explained

VAR can now correct a clearly wrong second yellow that produces a red card, but it cannot search for a missed second booking. The distinction matters.

20 July 2026 · 7 min readRead story →

Editorial illustration of a referee holding a yellow card as a penalty shoot-out begins, with a red card still in the pocket — Illustration: Curiosity Desk, created with image-generation tools and reviewed by an editor

World Explained · Football rules

Do yellow cards carry into a World Cup penalty shoot-out?

A caution from normal or extra time does not carry into a penalty shoot-out, but red cards still matter and new misconduct can still be punished.

20 July 2026 · 7 min readRead story →

Editorial illustration of a stopwatch and five footballs leading toward a penalty spot — Illustration: Curiosity Desk, created with image-generation tools and reviewed by an editor

World Explained · Football rules

What happens in a World Cup final after 90 minutes?

A level World Cup final does not go straight to penalties. Extra time comes first, followed by a tightly controlled shoot-out if no winner emerges.

20 July 2026 · 8 min readRead story →

Original writingEvery story is written for this publication.

Sources you can openFactual stories link to primary or authoritative material.

Clear correctionsMaterial errors are fixed and explained.