Goalkeeper tactical timeouts to be banned at World Cup

Goalkeeper tactical timeouts to be banned at World CupImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Fifa wants to prevent a situation where coaches can use a goalkeeper injury to hold a team talk ByDale JohnsonFootball issues correspondentPublished2 minutes agoCommentsPlayers at the 2026 World Cup will be stopped from going to the technical area to talk to coaches when goalkeepers are injured, Fifa referees' chief Pierluigi Collina has revealed.The International Football Association Board (Ifab) has also approved a request to change video assistant referee (VAR) protocol to allow reviews of attacking fouls that happen before the ball is in play.The 'goalkeeper tactical time-out' has become a hot topic in recent years. It is used by a manager to get new instructions to his players, or to impact the momentum of the opposition.In November, Leeds United boss Daniel Farke accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" and break up play.The goalkeeper sits on the turf and signals for the physio, the other players rush to the technical area for a team talk, then as soon as the coach has delivered his instructions, the keeper simply gets up to play on.The Ifab has been looking at the issue, but no law change has been agreed.Leagues have been invited to hold a series of trials throughout the 2026-27 season to find a solution.The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) - the women's professional league in the United States - introduced its own temporary measure earlier this year.If a goalkeeper is injured, the players of both teams must stay where they are or gather in the centre circle. All players leaving the field for a team talk 'is not good'Fifa will apply the same logic as the NWSL and prevent players from going to the touchline.But this only tackles part of the problem, as it will not stop the tactic being used simply to break up the momentum of the other team.Collina said all nations...