OTTAWA-(MaraviPost)-Football history is set to be rewritten as the Canadian Premier League becomes the first professional competition to trial a new offside rule proposed by Arsene Wenger, FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development.
The trial kicks off with the 2026 season starting April 4, marking a world first professional experiment in the Laws of the Game.
The so called “Wenger Law” or “daylight offside” changes one of football’s most debated rules.
Traditionally, an attacker is offside if any part of their body that can score a goal is beyond the second last defender when the ball is played. Even a toe or fingertip could trigger the call.
Under the revised rule, a player is only offside if their entire body capable of playing the ball is beyond the second last defender.
This means forwards can now stay onside as long as any part of their body foot, head or otherwise remains level with the defender.
The intention is clear, reduce marginal offsides, encourage attacking play and improve the overall flow of matches.
The trial is officially sanctioned by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the authority responsible for the Laws of the Game, in cooperation with FIFA.
This partnership ensures that the experiment is rigorously monitored and analyzed before any further decisions are made.
In addition to the offside adjustment, the Canadian Premier League will also implement Football Video Support (FVS).
Unlike traditional VAR, FVS allows coaches to request limited video reviews for critical decisions, such as goals and penalties, offering a streamlined approach to video technology.
The trial reflects Wenger’s long standing belief in modernizing football to make it more dynamic and spectator-friendly.
“Marginal offsides kill the rhythm of the game,” Wenger has explained in previous interviews. “Players should be encouraged to attack without unnecessary stoppages.”
However, FIFA emphasizes that global adoption is not guaranteed.
The rule’s success in Canada will be carefully evaluated before any other leagues or competitions are allowed to implement it.
Approval would depend on the trial’s effectiveness and acceptance by players, coaches and referees.
