Major League Soccer’s innovative rules aimed at reducing time-wasting and speeding up play are set to go global. The International Football Association Board (Ifab), soccer’s rule-making body, is expected to adopt the changes this weekend, months before the 2026 World Cup. MLS Next Pro first tested the rules in 2022. The first, known as the timed substitution rule, requires a team to play a man down for a minute if a substituted player takes longer than 10 seconds to leave the field. The second, called the off-field treatment rule, removes players from the match for a minute if they remain on the ground for more than 15 seconds after an injury. Both rules include exceptions. Injured players and goalkeepers are exempt from the timed substitution rule, while the treatment rule allows exceptions for head injuries, serious fouls, and cards. The impact of the rules on MLS Next Pro was immediate. When MLS adopted the rules in 2024, followed by the Leagues Cup in 2025, the speed of play improved dramatically. Injury-related stoppages in MLS dropped 72%, from an average of five to six per game down to 1.5. The timed substitution rule saw only 12 violations out of 4,346 substitutions over 510 matches in 2025. Ali Curtis, president of MLS Next Pro and MLS executive vice-president of sporting development, said the rules have been “working and good for the game.” He highlighted examples like Luis Suárez, who quickly adapted to leaving the field faster after an initial violation. Lionel Messi also experienced the treatment rule firsthand in 2024, when he was removed from a match after remaining down for an extended period. Curtis emphasized careful implementation, noting that the goal is to evolve soccer while preserving the integrity of the sport. “Change is difficult, especially in the moment,” he said, “but we want to improve the game thoughtfully.” The US has a long history of experimenting with soccer rules. The American Soccer League of the 1920s introduced substitutions decades before they became global standard. The North American Soccer League also pioneered key modern rules, including backpasses, red cards for denying clear goal-scoring opportunities, and jersey number innovations. Later, the US Interregional Soccer League (USISL) trialed a mix of practical and experimental ideas in 1995, from kick-ins to the 35-yard shootout, sometimes with unusual variations. MLS retained a few quirks, like the countdown clock and 35-yard shootout, but many US innovations were eventually replaced by global standards. Curtis believes MLS has now gained respect internationally for its approach. “We are connected to the global football community and have meaningful conversations with our partners worldwide,” he said. “Our goal is not to focus on perception but to improve the game.” In addition to the timed substitution and off-field treatment rules, Ifab will also review proposals to limit time-wasting on goal kicks and throw-ins. This could include awarding corner kicks or reversing possession if a team delays play. Updates to VAR are also under discussion, allowing officials to correct decisions on corner kicks or second yellow cards. The adoption of MLS’s rule changes marks a significant moment in global soccer. By reducing stoppages and keeping matches flowing, the sport could see faster, more engaging games worldwide, creating a lasting legacy from the US’s experimental approach.