sports
Canada to trial FIFA's alternative offside law in CPL opener
The Canadian Premier League will trial FIFA's provisional offside interpretation in the season opener to speed up VAR decisions and promote more attacking play.
Apr 3rd 2026 · Canada
Insights
- FIFA's alternative offside law will be tested in Hamilton in the Canadian Premier League season opener between Forge FC and Atletico Ottawa.
- FIFA says the rule aims to enhance match tempo, reduce time wasting and make offside calls clearer and faster.
- Arsene Wenger called the Canadian test an important pilot to assess the rule's impact in professional competition.
- Players and officials expect attackers to make bolder runs while defenders will monitor positioning more closely.
- The young CPL, launched in 2019 with eight teams, will host the trial amid rising soccer interest in Canada, though some European critics warn the rule could push defenders deeper and alter game balance.
Sources
- FIFA cambia las normas en el fútbol: solo se considerará fuera de juego si hay un espacio entre atacante y penúltimo defensor www.elespanol.com
- Canadian clubs and officials get ready for FIFA offside experiment www.straitstimes.com
- Canadian clubs and officials get ready for FIFA offside experiment www.channelnewsasia.com