World Cup: Fifa says match tempo will be point of emphasis

FIFA’s on-field officials for the World Cup will insist on keeping matches moving by taking rule changes designed to limit time-wasting seriously, the sport’s governing body said Sunday with the start of the 48-team tournament now less than two weeks away. Also among the points of emphasis for referees and officials: a commitment to issuing red cards to any player who covers his mouth while talking to an opponent in a “confrontational situation,” FIFA said. READ: World Cup 2026: How are the favorites shaping up? “We are continuing on trying to achieve an objective, which is to eliminate from matches […]... Keep on reading: World Cup: Fifa says match tempo will be point of emphasis