Offside is the rule that most often turns a goal celebration into a long wait. In plain terms, an attacker is in an offside position if, at the moment a teammate plays the ball, any part of their head, body or feet that can legally score is closer to the opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent. Being in that position is not an offence by itself. This guide explains the rule step by step, the situations where it does not apply, and the technology used at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The short version
- Position is judged at the moment the ball is played by a teammate, not when it arrives.
- Level with the second-last defender counts as onside.
- An offside position is only punished if the player becomes involved in play by playing the ball, interfering with an opponent, or gaining an advantage.
- You cannot be offside directly from a goal kick, throw-in or corner kick, or in your own half.
The rule step by step
Freeze the picture at the instant a teammate passes the ball. Two things matter at that frame. First, is the attacker in the opponents’ half? Second, is any scoring part of their body nearer the goal line than the ball and the second-last opponent? The goalkeeper is usually the last opponent, so the second-last opponent is normally the deepest outfield defender. Arms and hands do not count, so a shoulder beyond the defender is offside but an outstretched arm is not.
If the attacker is in that position, the referee then asks whether they took part in play. Receiving the pass, challenging an opponent for the ball, or blocking an opponent’s view or movement so that they cannot play it all count as taking part. An attacker who stays out of the move has committed no offence.
Where fans most often get it wrong
- Timing. A striker who starts onside and runs past the defender after the pass is released is legal.
- Restarts. Goal kicks, throw-ins and corners cannot produce an offside offence directly, which is why attackers can stand on the goal line at a corner.
- Deliberate plays by defenders. If a defender deliberately plays the ball, an attacker who then receives it is not offside, with the exception of a deliberate save by the goalkeeper. A deflection or rebound is different from a deliberate play.
- Own half. A player cannot be offside in their own half, whatever the defenders do.
Quick reference
| Scenario | Offside? |
|---|---|
| Attacker beyond the second-last defender when the pass is played, and receives the ball | Yes |
| Attacker level with the second-last defender when the pass is played | No, onside |
| Attacker in an offside position who does not touch or affect play | No offence |
| Ball comes directly from a corner kick, throw-in or goal kick | No, restarts are exempt |
| Attacker in their own half | No |
| Ball received after a defender deliberately plays it | No, unless it was a goalkeeper’s deliberate save |
Technology at the 2026 World Cup
The 2026 tournament used an updated semi-automated offside system. It alerts the assistant referee by audio in the earpiece, so the flag can go up sooner instead of waiting for a VAR check. FIFA said the alert threshold was tightened from about 50 centimetres in 2022 to about 10 centimetres, and that all 1,248 players from the 48 teams were digitally scanned to build 3D avatars for more accurate positioning. VAR also gained a “line of sight” view to help judge whether a player was blocking the goalkeeper’s view. The system does not settle the very closest margins, so officials still decide those, and judging interference without touching the ball remains a matter of opinion. The chip in the match ball is a separate system for out-of-play and last-touch decisions, not for offside.
Frequently asked questions
What happens after a goal is ruled out for offside?
The goal is disallowed and the defending team gets an indirect free kick from the place where the offside offence happened.
Does the whole body have to be offside?
No. Any part of the head, body or feet that can legally score is enough. Arms and hands are not counted.
Why does the offside rule exist?
Without it, attackers could wait next to the goal for a long ball. The rule rewards coordinated movement and keeps teams from stretching the game into a long-ball contest.
