“Wenger Law” Gains Momentum: Entire Body Must Be Beyond Defender for Offside Call.

Arsène Wenger

Big news shaking up football: FIFA is seriously considering Arsène Wenger‘s long-proposed offside reform, dubbed the “Wenger Law“. On December 29/30, 2025, president Gianni Infantino publicly hinted at the change during a sports summit in Dubai, stating: “We are considering the offside rule… Perhaps in the future the attacker would have to be completely ahead to be considered offside.”

The proposal: A player is only offside if their entire body (parts that can legally play the ball) is beyond the last defender, no more controversial millimeter decisions on toes, shoulders, or arms. This shifts advantage to attackers, mirroring the 1990 post-World Cup tweak that made level positions onside and boosted goals.

Trials in youth competitions (Italy, Sweden) have shown promise: more goals, fewer VAR interruptions, smoother flow. The International Football Association Board (IFAB) will deeply discuss it at their January 20 meeting in London, with a potential vote at the February AGM in Wales. Approval could see rollout as early as the 2026/27 season or even the 2026 World Cup.

Pros: Ends VAR frustration over marginal calls, encourages attacking play, increases scoring (echoing post-1990 spike from 2.2 to higher averages).

Cons: Defenders lose “benefit of doubt”; high lines become riskier, potentially altering tactics dramatically.

Wenger, FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, has pushed this since 2020 to make the game “more spectacular”. Infantino’s endorsement signals real traction, this could be the biggest offside shift since 1925.

Game-changer? Absolutely exciting for fans craving goals, but defenders might need therapy. What side are you on?