In a bid to inject more excitement and attacking flair into the beautiful game, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has signaled a potential revolution in football’s offside rule.
Speaking at the inaugural World Sports Summit in Dubai, Infantino revealed that the governing body is actively considering changes inspired by former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger’s long-standing proposal.
This “daylight” principle could mark one of the most significant rule tweaks since the introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology, aiming to reduce controversial millimeter decisions and encourage more goal-scoring opportunities.
How the Current Offside Rule Works
The current offside rule, which has remained largely unchanged since 1925, stipulates that an attacking player is offside if any part of their body capable of playing the ball is ahead of the second-to-last defender when the ball is played forward.
This has led to countless debates, especially in the VAR era, where goals are disallowed over fractions of an inch—often described as “toenail offsides.” Wenger, now FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, first floated his idea in February 2020.
What Is Arsène Wenger’s “Daylight” Offside Rule?
Under the proposed “Wenger Law,” an attacker would only be deemed offside if their entire body is ahead of the last defender.
In other words, if there is any overlap or “daylight” between the attacker and the defender, the player remains onside.
Infantino’s Vision for a More Attacking Game
Infantino emphasized the need to evolve the game, suggesting that future interpretations could require attackers to be completely ahead of defenders to be ruled offside.
He framed the proposal as part of a wider effort to make football more offensive and attractive, while also addressing time-wasting and improving match flow.
The FIFA president also highlighted VAR’s role in improving fairness, while admitting further refinement is still needed.
Trials and Testing of the Daylight Rule
Trials of the daylight rule have been ongoing for several years, mainly in youth competitions.
In 2023, the concept was tested in under-21 tournaments in Italy and Sweden, with additional internal evaluations continuing through 2024 and 2025.
These trials aimed to measure whether the rule would increase goals and reduce reliance on high defensive lines.
Tactical Concerns and Expert Opinions
Football analyst Dale Johnson cautioned that tight decisions would still exist, as players could remain marginally offside even under the new rule.
Concerns also include how assistant referees would judge situations without VAR and whether teams would respond by adopting deeper defensive blocks.
IFAB’s Role and Possible Timeline
The International Football Association Board, which governs the Laws of the Game, is expected to review the proposal in meetings scheduled for January and February 2026.
If approved, the rule could be introduced as early as the 2026–27 season, potentially influencing preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Other FIFA Rule Experiments in 2025
The proposed timeline aligns with other innovations FIFA tested in 2025, including VAR green cards, referee body cameras, and an eight-second limit for goalkeepers holding the ball.
Why the Proposal Still Faces Uncertainty
Experts continue to urge caution, noting that the rule has remained in internal testing for years without wider adoption.
By late 2025, discussions reportedly slowed as IFAB focused more on VAR precision than attacking incentives.
What This Means for the Future of Football
Despite delays, Infantino’s comments suggest renewed momentum behind Wenger’s vision.
As football balances tradition with innovation, the daylight offside rule could become one of the sport’s most transformative changes.
With the 2026 World Cup approaching, IFAB’s decision may determine whether this idea becomes law or remains a long-debated “what if.”
