FIFA Implements New Two-Minute Injury Rule for Arab Cup 2025

Pierluigi Collina, head of the FIFA Referees Committee, has announced the adoption of a new rule for the 2025 Arab Cup. Collina confirmed during his appearance on "Al Hakam" program on Al Kass channels that this rule stipulates that any player who sustains an injury must leave the field for two minutes, during which their team will play with 10 players.

Collina stated: "When a player gets injured and the medical staff enters the field, the player must leave and remain off for a specific period, which could be two minutes. During that time, the team will play with one player less."

He added: "This experiment was considered for future implementation, but given the upcoming Arab Cup, the FIFA President decided that it should be applied in this tournament."

Collina indicated that the objective of this measure is to reduce time-wasting, enhance the flow of play, and ensure greater fairness among participating teams.

He concluded: "The only exceptions for a player not leaving the field after the medical staff enters are if the player is genuinely injured, or if the opposing player involved in the tackle received a yellow card or was sent off. Naturally, the goalkeeper will also not be required to leave for two minutes."