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FIFA to ban coach talks during goalkeeper injury breaks at 2026 World Cup

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • FIFA will ban coaches from talking to players during goalkeeper injury breaks at the 2026 World Cup.
  • The new rule aims to prevent teams from using injury stoppages for tactical timeouts and disrupting opponents.
  • Referees will ensure players remain on the field and do not gather around the injured goalkeeper's technical area.

FIFA referees' chief Pierluigi Collina announced a new rule for the 2026 World Cup: coaches will no longer be allowed to talk to players during goalkeeper injury breaks. This measure targets the increasing use of "goalkeeper tactical timeouts," where teams exploit injury stoppages to regroup or disrupt opponents' momentum.

We had a workshop with all the coaches of all the 48 teams, and we told them that referees will be proactive.

— Pierluigi CollinaFIFA referees' chief Pierluigi Collina informing coaches about the new rule.

Under the new regulations, referees will actively prevent players from gathering around the injured goalkeeper's technical area. Instead, players must remain on the field of play. Collina stated that coaches from all 48 participating teams have been informed about this proactive enforcement. "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," he explained.

They will not allow the two teams to go to the benches when a goalkeeper is lying on the ground injured.

— Pierluigi CollinaFIFA referees' chief Pierluigi Collina explaining the enforcement of the new rule.

The issue has drawn criticism, with some managers accusing opponents of abusing injury breaks for tactical advantage. FIFA's new approach seeks to eliminate these coaching huddles, though it may not fully address concerns about teams using stoppages to slow the game. Collina acknowledged referees' responsibility in managing the situation, noting that players moving toward the technical area would not automatically face disciplinary action.

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.

— Pierluigi CollinaFIFA referees' chief Pierluigi Collina clarifying the intent behind the new rule.

However, the effectiveness of this rule remains uncertain. The 2026 World Cup will also feature three-minute hydration breaks in each half, offering coaches another opportunity for tactical discussions. Additionally, the International Football Association Board has approved a VAR protocol change allowing reviews of certain attacking fouls committed before the ball is in play, indicating further officiating adjustments for the tournament.

It’s quite weird that there really is only the referee, the physio and the goalkeeper on the field of play.

— Pierluigi CollinaFIFA referees' chief Pierluigi Collina commenting on the unusual situation during injury breaks.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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