FIFA has introduced a new rule for the 2026 FIFA World Cup that will prevent players from leaving the field to receive tactical instructions from their coaches when a goalkeeper is being treated for an injury.
The decision, announced by FIFA’s Head of Refereeing, Pierluigi Collina, is aimed at eliminating the growing trend of “goalkeeper tactical timeouts,” where teams use injury stoppages as an opportunity to regroup, receive coaching instructions, or disrupt the momentum of their opponents.
Under the new directive, referees will ensure that outfield players remain on the pitch while a goalkeeper receives medical attention. Teams will no longer be permitted to gather around their technical areas or benches during such stoppages.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Collina revealed that FIFA had already briefed coaches of all 48 participating nations about the new enforcement measures.
According to him, while goalkeepers have every right to receive treatment when injured, the rest of the players should not take advantage of those moments to hold impromptu tactical meetings with their coaches.
“We informed all the coaches that referees will be proactive in handling these situations,” Collina said. “If a goalkeeper is receiving treatment, players will not be allowed to leave the field and gather around the bench. The goalkeeper has the right to be injured, but players do not have the right to use that situation as a timeout.”
The issue has attracted growing attention in recent years, with several managers accusing opponents of deliberately using goalkeeper injury breaks to slow down games and alter their rhythm. One notable example came from Leeds United manager Daniel Farke, who previously suggested that an injury stoppage involving goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was used to help his team regroup and break the flow of the match.
Despite the new measure, questions remain over whether it will completely eliminate tactical interruptions, as teams may still attempt to manage the pace of games through other means.
Collina acknowledged that referees would play a key role in enforcing the rule but stressed that players moving toward the technical area during such stoppages would not automatically receive disciplinary sanctions.
“It is unusual to see only the referee, the goalkeeper and the medical staff on the field while all the other players are off the pitch,” he noted. “That is something we want to avoid.”
The effectiveness of the rule will be closely monitored during the World Cup, especially considering that matches will also include scheduled three-minute hydration breaks in each half, providing coaches with separate opportunities to communicate with their players.
In another major officiating development ahead of the tournament, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) has approved an adjustment to Video Assistant Referee (VAR) procedures. The change will allow officials to review certain attacking fouls committed before the ball comes into play, further strengthening the use of technology in decision-making at the World Cup.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will be the first edition of the tournament to feature 48 teams.
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