MBABANE – Football is set for one of its biggest law shifts, with a new offside rule expected in 2026/27.
The proposed change would mean a striker is only offside if their entire body that can score is in front of the last defender, rather than just a part of it.
For years, marginal offsides – where goals were disallowed by a toe, shoulder or fraction – have irked strikers and fans alike.
In the English Premier League alone, there have been notable goals ruled out because part of the attacker was offside by a few centimetres – such as headers or close finishes involving players like Erling Haaland.
Former Arsenal Manager and an International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) Head of Global Football Development Arsène Wenger argues this change would restore the old advantage to attackers and reduce frustration caused by video assistant referees’ ultra-precise offside decisions, saying the doubt benefits the striker should be reinstated.
The impact of the change would be felt across the pitch. Strikers would gain confidence to time runs without fear of being penalised on the smallest margins – potentially leading to more goals and fluid attacking play. Defenders, by contrast, would face tougher tasks, needing sharper organisation, anticipation and positional awareness to manage deeper lines and shifting threats.
At home in Eswatini, MTN Premier League joint top scorers have welcomed the idea. Hleliso Gamedze of Rangers, with 10 goals this season, said the change ‘is a welcome change and we are looking forward to when it is implemented,’ adding that while the amendment is good for strikers, ‘it will render defenders to work overtime.’
Fellow leading scorer Malangeni Dlamini, also on 10 goals, agreed: “It was long overdue, as at some point goals were disallowed because you were forward by a hand, leg or half fraction of the body – it was discouraging. We look forward to the changes and I guess it will help us to score more goals.”
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