The Digest:
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has released the official match regulations for Nigeria’s crucial 2026 World Cup playoff against Gabon. The outlined rules, which include provisions for extra time, penalty shootouts, and an additional substitution, set the stage for a tense, tactical encounter where every decision could determine a nation's World Cup destiny.
Key Points:
- If the match is tied after 90 minutes, it will proceed to 30 minutes of extra time.
- A penalty shootout will be used to decide the winner if the match remains level after extra time.
- Each team is permitted to make five substitutions during the regulation 90 minutes.
- A sixth substitution is allowed for each team if the match goes into extra time.
- The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system will be in operation for the entire match.
- VAR will review key incidents, including goals, penalties, red cards, and mistaken identity.
- These regulations are standard for CAF's final playoff rounds to ensure fairness and clarity.
Sources: CAF
