What’s New and What It Means for the Game
The 2025–2026 edition of the Beach Soccer Laws of the Game introduces a series of targeted updates designed to improve clarity, consistency, and player safety, while preserving the speed, intensity, and unique identity that define the sport. Rather than reshaping the game, these changes refine key operational areas, ensuring beach soccer continues to evolve in a professional, fair, and globally consistent manner.
Below is a clear breakdown of the most important updates and what they mean for players, officials, and fans.
1. Clearer Substitution Zones for Better Match Flow
One of the most practical updates concerns the substitution area. To reduce confusion and improve match flow, the substitution zone is now clearly defined as:
- 7 metres in total, extending 3.5 metres on each side of the halfway line
- Clearly marked and kept free of obstacles
- Separated from team benches, which must remain behind the touchline
This adjustment ensures smoother player changes, improves safety, and helps referees manage substitutions more efficiently during fast-paced moments.
2. Controlled Use of Music and Sound Effects
Beach soccer’s vibrant atmosphere remains a core part of its identity, but clearer limits have now been introduced.
- Music and sound effects are still permitted during matches
- Audio must never interfere with referee whistles, timekeeping signals, or player communication
- Match control and safety always take priority over entertainment elements
This update strikes a balance between atmosphere and officiating clarity, preserving the sport’s energy while reinforcing professional standards.
3. Tighter Rules on Substitutions During Extended Play
To prevent tactical exploitation, the Laws now clarify substitution rules when a period is extended for a penalty or direct free kick:
- Only the goalkeeper or the fouled player (if injured) may be substituted
- No additional substitutions are allowed during these extended moments
This ensures fairness during decisive situations and maintains the integrity of match outcomes.
4. Clarification on Goalkeeper Substitutions
Several updates now bring consistency to goalkeeper changes:
- Any player replacing the goalkeeper must wear a goalkeeper jersey with their own number
- Competitions may require the goalkeeper shirt to match the team’s designated colour
- If a substitution is requested while the ball is out of play, referees may pause the four-second restart count until play resumes
These measures provide greater transparency for officials and spectators alike.
5. Unauthorized Exit from the Field of Play
The updated laws clarify procedures when a player leaves the pitch without permission:
- If no advantage is played, the opposing team receives a free kick
- If advantage is applied, play continues and the player is sanctioned at the next stoppage
- The offending player must be cautioned
This clarification strengthens discipline while allowing referees to maintain game flow.
6. Reinforced Player Safety and Injury Protocols
Player welfare remains a priority in the 2025–2026 update:
- Any player deemed seriously injured must leave the pitch immediately
- On-field treatment is no longer permitted in such cases
- Re-entry is allowed only after proper clearance and procedure
These measures ensure quicker medical response and reduce unnecessary delays, reinforcing safety across all competitions.
A Clear Step Forward for the Game
The 2025–2026 updates represent a thoughtful evolution of beach soccer’s laws, not a reinvention, but a refinement. By improving clarity around substitutions, safety, and match control, FIFA continues to professionalise the sport while preserving its fast-paced, expressive nature.
For players, coaches, officials, and fans alike, these changes reinforce what makes beach soccer special: intensity, fairness, rhythm, and respect for the game.
As the global calendar unfolds, these updates will help ensure that beach soccer remains dynamic, disciplined, and ready for its continued growth on the world stage.
For full details and the official wording of all amendments, readers are encouraged to consult the complete FIFA release:
👉 FIFA Circular – Laws of the Game Beach Soccer 2025–2026 HERE
