New World Cup rule that meant Norway had goal disallowed vs England

England were left counting their lucky stars when Norway saw a goal disallowed in their World Cup quarter-final, but it would have counted before the tournament.

It's been a heart-in-mouth encounter so far for England as they take on Erling Haaland's Norway in Miami.

The extreme heat and humidity has made things difficult enough, but England have been put under serious pressure by the dark horses.

England had started well but lost their budding momentum after the hydration break and Norway took advantage, taking the lead through Andreas Schjelderup's cross-cum-shot flying in off the post.

The Three Lions looked like tabby cats as Norway roared for a second, and they may well have got it if Alexander Sorloth opted to pass the ball to Haaland when he was in on goal instead of trying to go it all on his own.

It would be a mistake he would regret, as Jude Bellingham took it upon himself to claw things back level with a fantastic finish.

Harry Kane thought he'd given England the lead before his goal was ruled out for off-side, but it appeared Thomas Tuchel's side had found the ascendency at half-time.

Yet, after the break, it was Norway who thought they had retaken the lead when Torbjørn Heggem bundled the ball home at a corner.

However, a VAR review came to England's rescue to disallow the goal, thanks to a new rule that only came into effect at the start of the World Cup.

New rule change saved England

Norway were left gutted (Giorgio Viera / AFP via Getty Images)

England immediately appealed for a foul after the ball found the back of their net for a second time, with Eliott Anderson lying on the floor.

Replays revealed Haaland had pushed the midfielder in the build-up to the goal, meaning it was disallowed.

As, the ball wasn't in play when the foul occurred, though, it would have been given in any match before the 2026 edition of the World Cup.

However, FIFA introduced a new rule ahead of the tournament which allows officials to review a foul before a set piece has been taken if it directly leads to a goal.

Instead of a goal, the team are able to re-take the corner, as a foul can not be given to the other team as the ball was not in play.

A lucky escape for England, as Norway failed to score from their second attempt with the corner.

However, things remain very tense as the game remains level.

It wasn't the only new rule introduced for the tournament, either.

New rules for the FIFA World Cup 2026

This year, there’s been a whole host of rule changes, many of which are designed to speed up the game and penalise players who drag things out. Some of the new regulations are likely to prove controversial.

10-second substitution

Subbed players now have to get a move on and leave the pitch within ten seconds by the nearest exit point. If they haven’t, their replacement will get held up by one minute until the next stoppage of play, and until then, their side will have to play with 10 men.

5-second throw-ins and goal kicks

If a referee thinks a player is taking too long for a throw-in or goal kick, they’ll start a five-second countdown, by which time the ball needs to be back in play. If it’s not, for throw-ins the opposing team will get their own throw-in, or for a goal kick the other side gets a corner.

Injured players to remain off the pitch for one minute

An injured player treated by medical staff off-field has to stay off the pitch for one minute, leaving their side with just 10 players.

More VAR

VAR can now be used to review an incorrectly awarded corner kick; second yellow cards resulting in a red card; when a player is incorrectly awarded a yellow or red card for another player’s actions; and any attacking fouls that occur before the ball is in play.

Players can’t cover their mouths

Players who cover their mouths in confrontational situations will be handed a red card. It’s believed players might cover their mouths to guard against lip readers while racially abusing other players, which some suspect has happened in the past.

Red cards for players leaving the pitch

Any player who leaves the pitch in protest over a referee’s decision will be handed a red card, and if a team walks off and causes a match to be abandoned, they’ll forfeit the game.