Asisat Oshoala Questions New FIFA Rule on Injured Players
Super Falcons striker Asisat Oshoala has expressed her displeasure with one of the new football rules expected to be used at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The global tournament will be staged across Mexico, United States and Canada, and it is expected to be one of the biggest editions in the competition’s history.
Ahead of the event, FIFA has introduced several rule changes aimed at reducing time-wasting during matches.
One of the measures already introduced this season is an eight-second limit for goalkeepers to hold the ball in their hands inside the penalty area. New time limits have also been set for substitutions, throw-ins and medical treatment on the pitch. In addition, the use of video review has been expanded to cover more decisions during matches.
However, Oshoala is unhappy with a rule related to injured players.
Under the new regulation, any player who receives medical attention on the pitch must remain off the field for 60 seconds before returning to the game. The idea behind the rule is to stop players from pretending to be injured in order to waste time.
But the Nigerian forward believes the rule is unfair to players who are genuinely fouled.
The six-time African Women’s Player of the Year shared her thoughts on social media, questioning why a player who has been fouled should also lose time on the pitch.
“This is crazy, because how do I get fouled and then still get to lose a minute? Come on guys,” she wrote.
Oshoala’s reaction reflects the concerns of many players who feel the rule could punish teams even when their players suffer real fouls.
Despite the criticism, the new regulations are expected to be tested during the 2026 World Cup, where their impact on the game will become clearer. If they create more problems than solutions, football authorities may review them in the future.
