Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie face new Serie A rules as league targets more playing time

Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie are entering another important Serie A campaign with Milan and Juventus respectively, but the American stars will have something new to deal with once they step onto the pitch. The league has introduced a series of changes designed to make matches faster and reduce the amount of time lost to stoppages, with the new approach potentially changing how players manage substitutions, injuries and restarts.

The changes arrive after a summer in which similar measures were trialed elsewhere in soccer, including at the 2026 World Cup. Serie A wants more soccer actually being played, while referees have also been given clearer instructions on player behavior and communication with officials.

For Pulisic, who is looking to rediscover his best form with Milan after a difficult second half of last season, the changes could create a faster and more demanding environment. The American winger scored 10 Serie A goals before the turn of the year last season but then went through a prolonged scoring drought, making a strong response particularly important.

McKennie enters the season after producing the best numbers of his Juventus career, having recorded nine goals and six assists in 52 appearances last campaign. His versatility means he could be particularly exposed to the substitution and injury-management changes, especially given how frequently he operates across different positions.

The two Americans are also among the leading USMNT figures preparing for another major period with the national team. The new Serie A regulations could therefore have an impact beyond their club careers, particularly as players adjust to a quicker tempo and fewer opportunities to slow matches down.

Serie A introduces stricter rules on time-wasting

The biggest change concerns the amount of time players will have to restart play or leave the field. A substituted player must leave the pitch within 10 seconds after the substitution board is shown, while the countdown begins when the final board is displayed if several substitutions are made simultaneously.

Throw-ins and goal kicks are also coming under greater scrutiny. Players will have five seconds to restart play, with a corner awarded to the opposition if a goalkeeper takes longer than five seconds to take a goal kick.

The new rules also target situations involving injuries. A player who receives treatment on the field must remain off the pitch for one minute after play resumes, although goalkeepers are exempt from the provision.

Serie A’s leadership believes these changes can make a significant difference to the spectacle. “Many of the changes introduced will concern situations where play is stopped, with the aim of increasing the effective playing time of matches, making games even more dynamic and spectacular,” Serie A CEO Luigi De Siervo said, according to ANSA via CalcioMercato.

Only captains can approach the referee

Another major change concerns communication with officials. Only the designated captain will be allowed to approach the referee to complain or request explanations, meaning other players will have to stay away from confrontations.

Daniele Orsato explained the reasoning behind the measure during the briefing attended by representatives from all 20 Serie A clubs. “The captain will be the figure representing the club on the pitch, and the referee will only refer to them,” Orsato said, according to CalcioMercato.

The refereeing authorities have also addressed the controversial gesture of covering the mouth during arguments. There will be no automatic punishment in every situation, with the referee instead assessing whether the gesture represents provocation or unsporting conduct.

VAR receives additional powers

The changes extend beyond time-wasting and player behavior, with VAR also receiving additional responsibilities. Video officials can now intervene in cases of mistaken identity involving a first yellow card and certain clearly incorrect second-yellow-card decisions that result in a sending-off.

The system can also be used in specific situations involving simulation inside the penalty area. However, refereeing officials have stressed that VAR should remain focused on clear mistakes rather than turning every incident into a lengthy review.

Domenico Messina emphasized the importance of ensuring everyone understands the changes before the season progresses. “It’s essential that all the necessary technical information is provided before kick-off, especially regarding the regulatory changes introduced this season,” Messina said, according to ANSA.

For Pulisic, McKennie and the rest of Serie A’s players, the message is clear: matches are expected to move faster, and time-wasting will be punished more aggressively. Whether the changes substantially increase effective playing time remains to be seen, but the league has made its intention unmistakable as the 2026/27 campaign gets underway.