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The 2026 World Cup is set to introduce what many are calling the 'anti-Arsenal' rule.

The grand football tournament, to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is just weeks away from kickoff.

This edition will bring several new elements to the game, including updates to match regulations.

One of the new rules to be implemented concerns set-piece situations.

According to a report from AS, FIFA has announced a regulation that prohibits attacking players from obstructing defenders' movements during free kicks or corner kicks.

This kind of tactic was notably used by Arsenal during their triumphant 2025–2026 Premier League campaign.

Throughout that season, the Gunners scored 24 goals from set-piece situations.

Under the new FIFA rule, VAR will be allowed to intervene if a block is detected during player movement before the ball is in play, even if the ball has not yet been kicked.

If a defender is prevented from defending and the play results in a goal, that goal will be disallowed.

The 23rd edition of the World Cup is scheduled to kick off on 11 June 2026.

Argentina will enter the tournament as the defending champions.

The Albiceleste are expected to bring their strongest squad as they aim to secure back-to-back titles.

Most of the players who lifted the 2022 World Cup trophy are returning, including Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, and Emiliano Martinez, among others.

Argentina have been drawn into Group J alongside Algeria, Austria, and Jordan.

Meanwhile, Messi’s long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo will lead Portugal in Group K, where they will face the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uzbekistan, and Colombia.