FIFA bans goalkeeper tactical timeouts at 2026 World Cup
4 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 1, 2026, 3:25 PM
Last updated Jun 1, 2026
FIFA has announced that players at the upcoming 2026 World Cup will no longer be allowed to visit the technical area for coaching discussions when goalkeepers are injured. This decision aims to prevent teams from using goalkeeper injuries as strategic timeouts, which has been a contentious issue in recent years. FIFA referees' chief Pierluigi Collina stated that referees will be proactive in enforcing this rule during the tournament. Additionally, updated VAR protocols will permit reviews of fouls occurring before set pieces, enhancing game fairness. These changes will undergo evaluation post-World Cup.
- •Players must stay on the field during goalkeeper injuries at the World Cup.
- •This measure follows similar rules implemented by the NWSL.
- •Referees will enforce the ban with no penalties for players attempting to leave.
- •VAR will now review fouls before set pieces that impact goals.
- •Collina plans to reassess these regulations after the World Cup.
- 3:25 PMYahoo Sports — Goalkeeper tactical timeouts to be banned and five other World Cup rule changes
- 7:05 PMYahoo Sports — Goalkeeper tactical timeouts to be banned at World Cup
- 7:05 PMBBC Sport — Goalkeeper tactical timeouts to be banned at World Cup
"The practice of goalkeepers going down ‘injured’, allowing their team-mates to rush to the touchline to receive tactical advice from coaches will be prohibited along with a raft of other measures to prevent time-wasting
"Players at the 2026 World Cup will be stopped from going to the technical area to talk to coaches when goalkeepers are injured.
"Players at the 2026 World Cup will be stopped from going to the technical area to talk to coaches when goalkeepers are injured.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 1, 2026, 3:25 PMGoalkeeper tactical timeouts to be banned and five other World Cup rule changes
The practice of goalkeepers going down ‘injured’, allowing their team-mates to rush to the touchline to receive tactical advice from coaches will be prohibited along with a raft of other measures to prevent time-wasting
- Yahoo SportsMay 31, 2026, 7:05 PMGoalkeeper tactical timeouts to be banned at World Cup
Players at the 2026 World Cup will be stopped from going to the technical area to talk to coaches when goalkeepers are injured.
- BBC SportMay 31, 2026, 7:05 PMGoalkeeper tactical timeouts to be banned at World Cup
Players at the 2026 World Cup will be stopped from going to the technical area to talk to coaches when goalkeepers are injured.
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