Archive · 31 Dec 2025
FIFA Considers Wenger Law for Offside Rule Change
FIFA, the organization that oversees international football, is thinking about changing the offside rule.
This rule is used to determine if a player is in an offside position when a goal is scored.
Currently, if a player is even slightly ahead of the last defender, it can be called offside, and the goal might not count.
Arsene Wenger, a former football manager and now a FIFA official, suggested that a player should only be offside if they are completely ahead of the defender.
FIFA's president, Gianni Infantino, said this change could make the game more exciting and lead to more goals.
However, any changes will take time because they need to be tested thoroughly.
FIFA is also working on ways to reduce time-wasting during matches to keep the game flowing smoothly.
FIFA is considering changes to the offside rule based on Arsene Wenger's proposal, known as the Wenger Law.
The proposed change would require a player to be clearly and entirely ahead of the trailing defender to be offside.
FIFA aims to make football more attacking and attractive, potentially leading to more goals.
VAR (Video Assistant Referee) has helped correct mistakes but has also caused controversies.
Any changes to the offside rule will undergo trials before being officially adopted.
- Who
- FIFA and Gianni Infantino
- What
- Considering changes to the offside rule based on Arsene Wenger's proposal
- When
- No specific timeline, but changes will undergo trials
- Where
- Globally, as FIFA governs international football
- Why
- To make football more attacking and attractive, and to reduce VAR controversies
- Proposed Change
- Player must be clearly and entirely ahead of the trailing defender to be offside
- Current Issue
- Marginal offside calls often result in goal cancellations
- FIFA's Goal
- Make football more attacking and attractive
- VAR's Role
- Helps referees correct mistakes but has caused controversies
- Timeframe
- Changes will undergo trials before official adoption
- Additional Focus
- FIFA is also looking to curb time-wasting