The FIFA World Cup Trophy is displayed during the Los Angeles stop of The FIFA World Cup 26 Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola at LA Live in Los Angeles on March 24, 2026. (Photo by Frederic J. Brown / AFP)
Players at the 2026 FIFA World Cup will no longer be allowed to leave the field to receive instructions from coaches when a goalkeeper is being treated for an injury, FIFA referees’ chief Pierluigi Collina has announced.
The move is aimed at curbing the growing use of so-called “goalkeeper tactical timeouts,” in which teams use injury stoppages to regroup, receive tactical instructions, or disrupt opponents’ momentum.
Under the new approach, referees will prevent players from gathering around a goalkeeper’s technical area while the goalkeeper is receiving treatment. Instead, players will be required to remain on the field of play.
Speaking ahead of the tournament on Sunday, Collina said FIFA had already informed coaches from all 48 participating teams that referees would enforce the measure.
