The flag is up! We explain what that means and why one of soccer's most important rules is also one of the toughest to see live.

COVENTRY, ENGLAND - JULY 30: A linesman flags for offside during the pre-season friendly between Coventry and Everton at The Coventry Building Society Arena on July 30, 2024 in Coventry, England.

Let’s talk about offside. It’s a rule present in dozens of sports, all of which have basically similar concepts — but it’s really easy to lose track of what offside actually is, especially when it ...

As the World Cup approaches, one of soccer’s most elusive phrases will pop up again and again on televisions across the country. You’ve heard it, you may claim to understand it, but what exactly is ...

Even though it's fairly straightforward, soccer's offside rule can be confusing for casual fans. And even controversial at times. The United States had two goals called back for o ...

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the largest ever, featuring 48 teams competing in 104 matches across North America. The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, with host cities in the United States, ...

Offside is one of those rules that constantly draws attention because of how inconsistently it gets reviewed. Plus, there are times when the violation is completely obvious, yet none of the referees ...

Soccer, otherwise known as football, is a relatively simple sport. Eleven players play on each team who, aside from the goalkeeper, can't touch the ball with their hands and must put the ball in the ...

The offside rule is confusing for those watching soccer (world football) for the first time. It can be even more confounding ...

Offside calls are some of the most controversial ones in soccer. Here’s a detailed look at the rules ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

VAR reviews for offsides are becoming more frequent Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images Get free access to the most comprehensive World Cup coverage in The Athletic app. Offside calls generating ...

Marginal offside calls, aided by technology, have been widely criticized in the FIFA World Cup 2026 for sucking the immediacy ...