FIFA revise 2018 World Cup qualifying rules

The world football governing body, FIFA, have revised some rules ahead of the qualifying series for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Unlike in 2014 World Cup qualifiers, were ineligible players proved the biggest administrative problem for FIFA, players must now produce a valid passport 24 hours before kick-off to reduce eligibility infringements.

This problem was only experienced by CAF of FIFA’s six continental confederations with the Issa Hayatou-led federation unable to properly clear players for matches.

Seven African nations – Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Liberia, Sudan and Togo –  used players who did not have valid clearance, forcing FIFA to award three points and a 3-0 wins to their opponents.

Abandoned World Cup qualifiers were also part of revised FIFA rules.

Games will now be restarted at the time the match was abandoned. The rule was employed in England women’s European Under-19 Championship match against Norway.

That match was restarted with three minutes of injury time left and England 2-1 down with a penalty to take, following an error from the referee.

Here are some of the changes for 2018 World Cup

A player without a valid passport shall not be entitled to play. Identity cards or other supporting official documents shall not be accepted.

FIFA now requires matches abandoned during play to be restarted at a later date with the same line-ups from the point the clock stopped. Previously a full 90-minute replay was ordered.

FIFA have abolished the maximum fine limit of 1m Swiss francs (£700,000) for federations if a team that qualifies to play in Russia is withdrawn within 30 days of the opening match or during the tournament.

Goal-line technology can be used in qualifying matches if both teams give written consent.

Cooling breaks can be ordered by referees in qualifiers.