FIFA Bans Goalkeeper Injury Tactical Timeouts At 2026 World Cup

FIFA said on Sunday that tactical 'timeouts' triggered by goalkeeper injuries will be banned at the 2026 World Cup, with players not permitted to approach the bench when a goalkeeper is lying on the ground injured.

“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”

BBC

FIFA referees' chief Pierluigi Collina said, "They will not allow the two teams to go to the benches when a goalkeeper is lying on the ground injured," and added that the goalkeeper has the right to be injured while players do not have the right to leave the field of play for a team talk.

BBC

The rule is intended to stop coaches passing tactical instructions during breaks in play while physios get to work, and FIFA said there will be hydration breaks in each half of every World Cup match.

The change was framed alongside IFAB rules that include expanded VAR powers, 10-second substitutions, and anti-timewasting measures ahead of the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

talkSPORT said FIFA's clampdown requires players to stay where they are or gather in the centre circle when the goalkeeper goes down, after criticism from managers, fans and pundits throughout the campaign.

Collina said FIFA had a workshop with all the coaches of all the 48 teams heading to the World Cup and told them that referees will be proactive about the new approach to goalkeeper injuries.

In the same discussion of the tactic, the BBC described how Leeds United boss Daniel Farke accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in November.

Sky Sports

TNT Sports also tied the debate to a Premier League incident, saying Donnarumma received medical treatment during his side's 3-2 win over Leeds United and that Farke called it a "fake injury."

Beyond the goalkeeper-timeout ban, IFAB approved a request to change VAR protocol so it can review attacking fouls that happen before the ball is in play, with Collina saying, "We think this is very unfair, that the goal is given when the defender is prevented from being able to defend."

The BBC said the VAR clarification would apply to a goal, penalty kick or disciplinary sanction that happens on a corner or free-kick, and that the measure will be applied for the World Cup and reassessed after the tournament.

IFAB's wider package of changes ahead of the 2026 World Cup includes five-second countdowns for throw-ins and goal-kicks, red cards for players covering their mouths during confrontations, and punishments for teams walking off the pitch in protest.

“FIFA have confirmed a rule change ahead of the World Cup to cut out a much-maligned part of the game”

talkSPORT

Sky Sports said players being substituted will have just 10 seconds to leave the pitch after the substitution board has been shown, and that if a player fails to leave within the time limit, their replacement will only be allowed onto the pitch at the first stoppage after one minute has elapsed following the restart.

The same Sky Sports update said outfield players who receive treatment from medical staff on the pitch will be required to remain off the field for at least one minute after play restarts, with exceptions for goalkeeper injuries, collisions, head injuries, concussions, or penalty situations.

For match stoppages, Sky Sports said there will be a mandatory three-minute hydration break in each half during every World Cup match, giving referees flexibility over when the stoppage occurs.

BBC said Collina added that there will be no yellow cards or disciplinary action for players who do try to go over and speak to the coach, and he described it as "quite weird that there really is only the referee, the physio and the goalkeeper on the field play."