FIFA’s Mid-2026 World Cup Penalty Shootout Rule Change Rejected by IFAB
During the ongoing 2026 World Cup in the US, Mexico, and Canada, FIFA urgently proposed reducing penalty shootout coin tosses from two to one, citing fairness concerns after incidents like Arsenal and PSG losing both tosses. However, IFAB rejected the mid-tournament change, ruling the current two-toss system will remain for the knockout stages. The matter may be revisited for future tournaments.
Cross-source coverage
Wire timeline
World Cup penalty coin-toss rules to remain for knockout stage after FIFA, IFAB talks
FIFA's proposal to reduce penalty shootout coin tosses from two to one at the 2026 World Cup has been rejected by IFAB, the sport's rule-making body. Under current rules, two coin tosses occur before a shootout: the first determines which end penalties are taken, and the second decides which team shoots first. FIFA wanted a single toss where the winner chooses either the end or the order, with the loser getting the remaining choice. The change was prompted by the Champions League final in May, where Paris Saint-Germain won both tosses. IFAB declined to alter regulations mid-competition but may revisit the proposal later. The decision means the existing two-toss system will remain for the World Cup knockout stages.
Soccer - The AthleticFIFA Proposal to Simplify World Cup Penalty Shootout Coin Tosses Rejected for 2026 Knockout Stage
FIFA's request to reduce the number of coin tosses before penalty shootouts from two to one during the 2026 World Cup knockout stages has been rejected following discussions with the International Football Association Board (IFAB). Under the current rules, two coin tosses occur before a shootout: the first deciding which end penalties are taken, and the second determining which team shoots first or second. FIFA proposed merging these into a single coin toss, where the winning captain would choose either the end or the shooting order, and the losing captain would then receive the remaining choice. The proposal was prompted by a controversial incident in the UEFA Champions League final in May, where Paris Saint-Germain won both coin tosses. However, IFAB was reluctant to alter regulations mid-competition, though the change may be reconsidered at a later date.
Soccer - The AthleticIFAB Rejects FIFA's Penalty Shootout Coin Toss Rule Change for World Cup Knockout Stage
Soccer's rulemaking body, IFAB, has rejected FIFA's proposal to reduce the number of coin tosses before penalty shootouts from two to one for the 2026 World Cup knockout stage. The proposed change would have allowed the team winning a single coin toss to choose either which end to shoot from or the order of kicks, with the losing team receiving the other option. This was intended to prevent a single team from winning both choices, as happened in the Champions League final between PSG and Bayern Munich. However, IFAB declined to alter the regulations mid-competition, noting the World Cup was already underway. The matter may be revisited at a later date for future tournaments.
Soccer - The AthleticFIFA Considers Mid-Tournament Rule Change for 2026 World Cup Penalty Shootouts
FIFA is reportedly considering changing the coin toss procedure before penalty shootouts during the ongoing 2026 World Cup, with a decision possible before the knockout stage begins. Currently, two coin tosses determine which side the shootout takes place on and which team kicks first. The proposed change would reduce this to a single coin toss, where the winner chooses either the goal to shoot at or the order of kickers, with the loser taking the remaining option. The move aims to increase fairness, following incidents like Arsenal losing both tosses in the last Champions League final. The International FA Board (IFAB) may bypass its usual annual general meeting process to implement the change quickly, as it did recently with the 'Vinicius rule' banning players from covering their mouths during confrontations. The first knockout matches begin as early as Sunday.
Foot Mercato : Info Transferts Football - Actu Foot TransfertTimes Exclusive: FIFA Seeks Urgent Change to Penalty Shootout Coin Toss Rules
According to an exclusive report by Times chief correspondent Martyn Ziegler, FIFA is in urgent discussions with the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to modify the coin toss rules for penalty shootouts in the upcoming World Cup. FIFA proposes replacing the current two-coin-toss system with a single coin toss that simultaneously decides both the goal end and the kick order. Under the proposed rule, the captain of the winning team would choose either the goal end or the kick order, with the remaining option going to the opponent. The governing body must decide whether to implement this change before the first knockout match, scheduled for Sunday evening. FIFA believes the change will make penalty shootouts fairer, citing the Champions League final where Paris Saint-Germain won both coin tosses, allowing them to kick first in front of their home fans.
虎扑 - 足球FIFA seeks mid-World Cup penalty shoot-out rule change after Arsenal incident
FIFA is reportedly pushing for a sudden rule change to penalty shoot-outs before the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup, currently underway in the US, Mexico, and Canada. The proposed change would reduce the two coin tosses (one for who kicks first, one for which end) to a single coin toss, where the winner chooses either to take the first penalty or to shoot in front of their own fans. FIFA officials have held discussions with IFAB, football's law-making body, and a decision must be made before the first knockout match on Sunday. The move, reportedly inspired by an incident involving Arsenal, is intended to create a fairer shoot-out format by removing one advantage from the team that wins both tosses.
Mirror - Football