Goalkeeper tactical timeouts to be banned at World Cup

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Goalkeeper tactical timeouts to be banned at World CupImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Leeds United boss Daniel Farke accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury during their Premier League gameByDale Johnson Football issues correspondentPublished55 minutes agoPlayers 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 Details

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. All players leaving the field for a team talk 'is not good'Fifa will apply the same logic as the NWSL and prevent players from going to the touchline. But this only tackles part of the problem, as it will not stop the tactic being used simply to break up the momentum of the other team.

Collina said all nations should be aware this is now not permitted. "We had a workshop with all the coaches of all the 48 teams and we told them that referees will be proactive," Collina said. "They will not allow the two teams to go to the benches when a goalkeeper is lying on the ground injured.

What Experts Say

"The goalkeeper has the right to be injured, but the players do not have the right to leave the field of play to have a sort of timeout with their respective coaches. "The effectiveness of the measure at the World Cup is open to debate, as there will be a three-minute hydration break in each half, creating a natural timeout for coaches. The officials will be responsible for enforcing the rule but Collina said there will be no yellow cards or disciplinary action for players who do try to go over and speak to the coach.

"It's quite weird that there really is only the referee, the physio and the goalkeeper on the field play," Collina added. "All the other players leave the pitch, and it is not good.

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.