Fans Criticize Rule Changes and Performance at 2026 World Cup

Football fans are criticizing new rule changes and team performances during the 2026 ^[1] World Cup.

These reactions highlight a growing tension between FIFA's efforts to modernize the game and the traditional expectations of supporters. As teams face elimination and new regulations alter the flow of matches, the tournament's legacy is being questioned by those in the stands.

Supporters from various national teams, including Ecuador and Uruguay, shared their views during interviews with BBC Mundo at stadiums across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico [1, 2]. Many of these fans said the current tournament is the worst version of the event, citing a combination of poor team results and disruptive regulatory shifts [1, 2].

Specific grievances center on several new rules introduced for the 2026 ^[1] tournament. Fans pointed to the implementation of hydration breaks and the requirement for goal kicks to be taken within five seconds as points of contention ^[1]. Other criticized changes include the ability to make substitutions within 10-minute windows, and the issuance of red cards for players covering their mouths ^[1].

For some, the frustration is tied directly to the failure of their national teams. In the case of Ecuador, fans reacted strongly to their team's elimination from the competition ^[2]. Some supporters were particularly critical of individual player performances, with one fan saying a specific player "fue el peor de todos" — was the worst of all ^[2].

While the tournament spans three nations, the sentiment among these interviewed fans remains focused on the perceived degradation of the sport's natural rhythm. The combination of strict new timing rules and disappointing on-field results has led some to view the event as a failure in execution [1, 2].