FIFA will stop players from leaving the pitch to receive tactical instructions from coaches during goalkeeper injury stoppages at the 2026 World Cup, according to FIFA referees’ chief, Pierluigi Collina.
The new directive is aimed at eliminating what has become known as “goalkeeper tactical timeouts,” where teams use injury breaks to regroup, receive coaching instructions, or disrupt the momentum of opponents during matches.
Speaking ahead of the tournament on Sunday, Mr Collina said FIFA had already informed coaches from all 48 participating teams about the enforcement of the new measure.
“We had a workshop with all the coaches of all the 48 teams, and we told them that referees will be proactive.
“They will not allow the two teams to go to the benches when a goalkeeper is lying on the ground injured.
“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 said.
Under the updated approach, referees will prevent players from gathering near their technical areas while a goalkeeper is receiving treatment. Players will instead be required to remain on the field of play.
FIFA targets tactical injury stoppages
The issue has become increasingly controversial in modern football, with several managers accusing opponents of deliberately using injury breaks to slow games down or receive tactical guidance.
In November, Daniel Farke claimed that Gianluigi Donnarumma used an injury stoppage to help disrupt play and allow his team to regroup tactically.
While FIFA’s latest move seeks to prevent coaching huddles during such moments, concerns remain that teams may still attempt to use stoppages strategically to break opponents’ rhythm.
Referees to manage new enforcement
Mr Collina acknowledged that referees would have to carefully manage the situation during matches, though he clarified that players approaching technical areas would not automatically be punished with disciplinary sanctions.
“It’s quite weird that there really is only the referee, the physio and the goalkeeper on the field of play,” Mr Collina said.
“All the other players leave the pitch, and it is not good.”
The effectiveness of the new measure is expected to be closely monitored during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
New VAR adjustments ahead of tournament
Meanwhile, the International Football Association Board has also approved changes to VAR protocols ahead of the competition.
The updated rules will now allow video reviews of certain attacking fouls committed before the ball comes back into play, marking another major officiating adjustment before the global tournament begins.
Despite the restriction on tactical injury huddles, matches at the 2026 World Cup will still feature three-minute hydration breaks in each half, giving coaches limited opportunities to communicate with players during games.
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