FIFA clamp down on tactical time-outs as major World Cup rule change announced

FIFA have confirmed a rule change ahead of the World Cup to cut out a much-maligned part of the game.

The 2026 tournament is less than two weeks away from getting underway in North America.

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Mexico face South Africa in the opening match of this summer’s World Cup on June 11.

Ahead of the match, FIFA have revealed plans to clamp down on tactical timeouts triggered by goalkeepers going down injured.

This season has seen a rise in stopper’s requiring treatment and their team-mates subsequently gathering on the touchline to receive instructions from the manager.

In a bid to handle the issue, players must stay where they are or gather in the centre circle when the goalkeeper goes down.

Leagues have also been invited to hold trials next season in an attempt to find a solution.

It comes after criticism from managers, fans and pundits throughout the campaign.

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke even claimed Manchester City’s Gianluigi Donnarumma had faked an injury to ‘bend the rules’ when they met in November.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) have also approved a request to allow VAR to review attacking fouls that occur before the ball is in play.

Rule change explained

FIFA referees’ chief Pierluigi Collina has explained the new approach to the tactical timeouts.

The Italian said: “We had a workshop with all the coaches of all the 48 teams and we told them that referees will be proactive.

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“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.”

A similar application of the rule has already been used in the National Women’s Soccer League, the top-flight of women’s football in the USA.

Although referees will be responsible for enforcing it, yellow cards will not be given to players who do try to go to the touchline.

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

“All the other players leave the pitch, and it is not good.”

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Having retired from officiating in 2005, Collina is now the chairman of FIFA’s referees committee.

The 66-year-old oversaw the 2002 World Cup final between Germany and Brazil during his career.