FIFA ban goalkeeper tactical timeouts 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, FIFA referees' chief Pierluigi Collina has revealed

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has also approved a request to change video assistant referee (VAR) protocol to allow reviews of attacking fouls that happen before the ball is in play. The 'goalkeeper tactical timeout' has become a hot topic in recent years. It is used by a manager to get new instructions to his players, or to impact the momentum of the opposition.

In November, Leeds United boss Daniel Farke accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" and break up play. The goalkeeper sits on the turf and signals for the physio, the other players rush to the technical area for a team talk, then as soon as the coach has delivered his instructions, the keeper simply gets up to play on.

The IFAB has been looking at the issue, but no law change has been agreed. Leagues have been invited to hold a series of trials throughout the 2026-27 season to find a solution.

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) - the women's professional league in the United States - introduced its own temporary measure earlier this year. If a goalkeeper is injured, the players of both teams must stay where they are or gather in the centre circle.