Andy Robertson Finds a Way Around FIFA’s New Five-Second Rule at the World Cup

Scottish left back Andy Robertson drew attention during Scotland’s 2026 World Cup group-stage match against Haiti by exploiting FIFA’s new five-second rule. The rule is part of a broader set of changes intended to speed up play, and in many stadiums referees have begun counting down publicly when a player takes too long to restart from a throw-in or a goalkeeper’s kick.

In the match on June 14, 2026, Robertson did not immediately pick up the ball after it went out of play. Instead, he waited until his Scotland teammates were already in position, and only then lifted the ball, which delayed the start of the referee’s countdown. That gave him extra time to take the throw-in calmly and precisely, without pressure from the official.

The move quickly spread online and in sports media, with many praising Robertson’s experience and leadership. Commentators said the tactic effectively turned a rule meant to accelerate the game into a strategic advantage for Scotland.

The article says the simple trick could become a regular tactic for players around the world who look for ways to work around FIFA’s new restrictions. The match was part of Group C, where Scotland beat Haiti 1-0 and reached 3 points, alongside Morocco and Brazil on 1 point each, while Haiti remained on 0.