IFAB Approves England’s Goalkeeper Time-Wasting Trial For 2026–27 Season

English football’s professional leagues will test a new rule targeting tactical goalkeeper injuries, following approval from the International Football Association Board (IFAB) for the 2026–27 campaign.

Under the trial, coaches must nominate one outfield player to leave the pitch for at least one minute whenever play stops for a goalkeeper injury. The rule also enforces a five-second countdown for restarts and limits substitution exits to 10 seconds.

The Football Association stated the measure aims to prevent goalkeepers from using injury stoppages to “disrupt momentum, slow the game down or create opportunities for tactical instruction.”

Exceptions apply when the keeper is fouled and needs treatment, collides with an outfield player, or is bleeding. The trial begins with the Carabao Cup on August 1 and covers all men’s and women’s professional leagues in England.

Pro Ref, the professional refereeing body, confirmed the nominated-player approach was chosen after discussions with the FA and leagues. FIFA refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina has also instructed officials at this summer’s tournaments to bar players from approaching technical areas during treatment stoppages.

The move follows high-profile incidents last season, including Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler criticizing Arsenal’s David Raya for receiving treatment three times during a tight 1-0 title-race victory. The FA and IFAB will monitor the trial throughout the season to assess its impact on game flow and player welfare.