Using FIFA World Cup rules, here are 9 key points to know before Thailand's national team competes in the 2026 ASEAN Cup.
On 25 July 2026, the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) held a meeting with team managers ahead of the 2026 ASEAN Football Championship group stage, Group B first match between Laos (ranked 185th globally) and Thailand (ranked 94th globally).
The 2026 ASEAN Cup will adopt rules used in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including:
- The referee will blow the whistle and start a 5-second countdown with a hand signal. If the throw-in is not taken within 5 seconds, possession is awarded to the opposing team without a yellow card unless there is deliberate time-wasting. The referee may allow flexibility, for example if the player needs to run to the ball for a long throw, but once ready, the count must start immediately.
- When the ball is placed and ready to kick, the referee starts a 5-second count. If the goal kick is not taken within that time, the opposing team is awarded a corner kick. This rule, like the throw-in rule, aims to prevent time-wasting.
- If a player receives treatment or assessment on the field, after play resumes, the player must wait 1 minute (running clock) before re-entering, with the referee's permission, even if the ball is in play.
Exceptions include goalkeepers, players injured by fouls where the opponent received a yellow or red card, or other special cases per the rules. This measure reduces feigned injuries to waste time.
- When a substitution occurs, the player leaving must exit the field within 10 seconds. If delayed, the substitute cannot enter for 1 minute after play restarts. This prevents slow exits to waste time.
- Match officials have the authority to prohibit or stop coaching staff from giving tactical instructions to players during game stoppages due to injuries and first aid treatment.
- Referees will use discretion to penalize players who cover their mouths during verbal confrontations, except for normal conversation or teammates briefing tactics.
- If any player or person intentionally walks out in protest, the referee may issue an immediate red card. If the game cannot continue, the team will forfeit the match.
VAR technology will be used in all matches of the 2026 ASEAN Cup with additional conditions beyond the original four scenarios:
- Checking goals or no goals
- Checking penalties or no penalties
- Checking straight red cards or no red cards
- Checking misidentification of players for yellow/red cards
The expanded authority includes:
- Correcting clear errors in awarding second yellow cards
- Correcting wrong issuance of yellow/red cards to the wrong player (same or opposing team)
- Correcting incorrect awarding of corner kicks
- Addressing infractions before play starts
* If VAR malfunctions or breaks down during a match, play will continue without VAR assistance and the match will not be canceled or replayed.
Procedure when VAR resumes:
1. Immediate use: Once the signal and images are fully restored, the referee is notified and VAR use resumes for subsequent decisions immediately.
2. No retrospective reviews: VAR cannot review incidents that occurred during the downtime to alter previous decisions.
3. Decisions made during VAR downtime stand as final and valid.
4. Transparency: The match supervisor must inform both team managers and captains immediately once VAR is operational again.
- Water breaks during the match will not be used in the 2026 ASEAN Cup.
25 July 2026
8:00 PM Laos vs. Thailand
Laos National Stadium, Block 16
Live broadcast via: TrueVisions Now application