FIFA's corner grappling crackdown poses direct problem for Tuchel's England set-piece plans

FIFA has introduced a significant rule change ahead of the 2026 World Cup that will allow VAR to flag attacking-side grappling in the penalty box before corners and free kicks are taken — a directive that directly undermines one of Thomas Tuchel’s core tactical plans for England.

Referees’ chief Pierluigi Collina confirmed the crackdown, which received last-minute approval from law-making body IFAB. Under the new protocol, if VAR identifies a clear offence by the attacking team before the ball is in play at a corner or free kick that has a direct impact on a goal, penalty, or disciplinary sanction, the referee will be recommended to conduct an on-field review. If an offence is confirmed, the set-piece will be retaken and appropriate disciplinary action taken.

IFAB stated: “The IFAB has approved a clarification to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) protocol for use at the 2026 FIFA World Cup regarding clear offences committed by the attacking team before the ball is in play at a corner kick or free kick that have a direct impact on a goal, penalty kick, or disciplinary sanction.”

Tuchel had openly identified set-pieces — including corners, free kicks, and throw-ins — as a major weapon for England, partly because of the searing heat expected in the United States, which is likely to reduce the tempo of open play. The change now forces his coaching staff to rethink how England operate from dead-ball situations.

Collina made the stakes clear by using an England goal as a teaching example in a pre-tournament presentation to referees. Ben White’s goal against Uruguay at Wembley in March was cited after accusations that Adam Wharton had illegally blocked José María Giménez in the build-up. Collina described the incident as “very serious,” noting that the ball was not yet in play when the block occurred.

“The incident at Wembley was very serious,” Collina said. “The ball was not in play and there was a clear foul committed by an illegal block against the defender. That block was the only projected threat.”

The directive also targets several other areas of the game. FIFA is clamping down on players covering their mouths during on-pitch conversations — a practice that has drawn scrutiny over potential referee influence — as well as time-wasting and the management of hydration breaks. VAR will also be permitted to intervene on wrongly awarded corners, second yellow cards, and cases of mistaken identity.

The corner grappling rule is perhaps the most tactically consequential change. In the Premier League, Arsenal under Mikel Arteta have turned pre-ball movement at set-pieces into a refined system, scoring 24 goals from set-pieces last season. The new enforcement signals that FIFA intends to close the gap between what the laws technically prohibit and what referees have historically allowed.