FIFA Pushes For Major Penalty Shootout Rule Change Ahead Of June 28 Knockout Matches As Debate Over Competitive Fairness Intensifies

With the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to begin on June 28, FIFA is seeking approval for a significant change to the way penalty shootouts are conducted, arguing that the current system may give one team an unfair advantage.

The proposal, which is currently under review by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), would alter the coin-toss procedure used before a penalty shootout. FIFA hopes to have the change approved before the first Round of 32 match, ensuring it can be implemented throughout the knockout rounds.

Under the current rules, referees conduct two separate coin tosses before penalties begin. The first determines which goal the shootout will take place at, while the second decides which team takes the opening kick. Critics have long argued that the system can sometimes give one side a double advantage if it wins both tosses.

FIFA’s proposed solution is straightforward. Instead of two coin tosses, there would be only one. The captain who wins the toss would choose either to take the first penalty or select the end at which the shootout will be held. The opposing captain would automatically receive the remaining option. FIFA believes this would create a more balanced and transparent process.

The push for change gained momentum following several high-profile shootouts in recent seasons. Football officials have increasingly questioned whether teams that kick first enjoy a psychological advantage. Research cited during discussions on the proposal suggested that the team taking the opening penalty may have a higher chance of winning the shootout, placing added importance on the outcome of the coin toss.

The issue also came into focus after Arsenal’s penalty defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final. PSG won both pre-shootout coin tosses, allowing them to take the first kick and shoot in front of their own supporters. The situation renewed debate about whether the existing procedure provides too much benefit to one side.

FIFA’s request is unusual because major rule adjustments are rarely considered during an ongoing tournament. However, football’s governing body believes the proposal is administrative rather than tactical, making it possible to introduce before the knockout rounds begin. IFAB is expected to decide on the matter before the Round of 32 gets underway on June 28.

The timing is particularly significant because penalty shootouts become a possibility only in the knockout phase. With the expanded 48-team World Cup entering its win-or-go-home stage, even the smallest procedural change could have a major impact on how matches are decided.

Should IFAB approve the proposal, the 2026 World Cup could become the first major international tournament to use the revised penalty shootout procedure. If rejected, the existing two-toss system will remain in place for the remainder of the competition.