FIFA has announced a series of rule changes for the 2026 World Cup, including measures aimed at preventing teams from using goalkeeper injuries as tactical breaks and expanding the scope of video assistant referee (VAR) reviews.
The changes were outlined by FIFA refereesâ chief, Pierluigi Collina, who said officials would take a more proactive approach to managing stoppages involving injured goalkeepers and reviewing incidents that occur before the ball is put into play.
Under the new directive, players will no longer be allowed to gather around their coaches in the technical area when a goalkeeper goes down injured during a match.
The move follows growing concerns over the use of so-called âgoalkeeper tactical timeoutsâ, where teams use injury stoppages to receive instructions from the bench or disrupt the momentum of opponents.
FIFA targets âgoalkeeper tactical timeoutâ
The practice has attracted attention in recent years, with critics arguing that some teams exploit injury breaks for tactical purposes.
FIFA will adopt an approach similar to that used by the National Womenâs Soccer League (NWSL) in the United States, where players are required to remain in their positions or gather in the centre circle while treatment is administered.
Collina said coaches of all 48 participating nations had already been informed of the change.
âWe had a workshop with all the coaches of all the 48 teams and we told them that referees will be proactive,â Collina said.
âThey will not allow the two teams to go to the benches when a goalkeeper is lying on the ground injured.
âThe 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.â
Although referees will enforce the directive, Collina clarified that players would not receive yellow cards or other disciplinary sanctions if they attempt to approach the technical area.
âItâs quite weird that there really is only the referee, the physio and the goalkeeper on the field play,â Collina added.
âAll the other players leave the pitch, and it is not good.â
The measure will operate alongside the three-minute hydration breaks scheduled for each half during the tournament.
Expanded VAR powers
FIFA has also secured approval from the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to broaden VAR intervention in specific situations involving attacking fouls before the ball is in play.
Previously, VAR could not review incidents that occurred before a corner kick or free-kick was taken. However, under the revised protocol, officials can now review attacking fouls that directly influence a goal, penalty decision or disciplinary sanction.
The change was prompted by incidents such as Englandâs goal against Uruguay in a friendly at Wembley earlier this year.
In that match, Adam Wharton blocked Jose Maria Gimenez before a corner was delivered, allowing the attack to continue and eventually result in a goal. Under the revised protocol, VAR would be able to recommend a retake of the corner.
âWe think this is very unfair, that the goal is given when the defender is prevented from being able to defend,â Collina said.
âA clear, illegal block made by an attacker. The only objective was to prevent the defender from being able to defend on his opponent.
âWe are very confident to receive a clarification from the Ifab before the World Cup, saying that the VAR can intervene just before the ball is in play. We are convinced that nobody can object.â
The rule will apply only to attacking fouls and not to defensive offences such as holding or pulling.
New sanction for covering the mouth
Collina also confirmed stricter punishment for players who cover their mouth with a hand, arm or shirt during confrontations with opponents.
The action will now be punishable by a red card, following an incident involving Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni and Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr in a Champions League match earlier this year.
Prestianni later received a six-game suspension from UEFA for homophobic conduct.
âIf the conversation is friendly, they can continue to do it without any problem,â Collina said.
âWhen the conversation is confrontational, covering the mouth means that you are doing something very wrong, potentially, and the sanction is the red card.â
Collina added that referees at the tournament would also closely monitor grappling and physical contests inside the penalty area, with officials receiving detailed information on the tactical tendencies of participating teams ahead of matches.
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