The Canadian Premier League (CPL) has become the first professional soccer league to trial the 'daylight offside rule', a change advocated by Fifa's Arsène Wenger. The rule deems a player onside if any part of them is level with the second-to-last defender, a shift from the current rule where any part ahead is offside. The trial began in April 2026 and will run throughout the season, with Fifa's support.
Pacific FC striker Alejandro Díaz scored the first goal under the new rule in a 2-2 draw with the Halifax Wanderers. Díaz, the CPL's all-time leading scorer, praised the change, saying it gives attackers more advantage. CPL commissioner James Johnson believes the rule will bring clarity and increase goals, which fans enjoy.
However, the trial has drawn criticism from defenders and goalkeepers. Halifax Wanderers centre-back Thomas Meilleur-Giguère argued that it undermines the art of defending and changes years of professional training. The International Football Association Board (Ifab) remains noncommittal on the matter, despite Fifa president Gianni Infantino's support for an offside overhaul.
The CPL has also introduced other measures to speed up the game, including 10-second substitution limits and five-second countdowns for throw-ins and corners. Additionally, the trial includes Football Video Support (FVS), allowing coaches two video review requests for clear errors in match-changing incidents.
