FIFA penalty shootout rule could cut coin tosses in 2026

FIFA penalty shootout rule discussions are focusing on a simpler pre-shootout procedure for the 2026 World Cup, with a reported plan to reduce coin tosses from two to one.

Under the proposal reported by The Times, FIFA has asked the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to consider a change aimed at improving perceived fairness in shootouts. IFAB is football’s rules body and would need to approve any alteration to the Laws of the Game.

What would change under the reported proposal

Penalty shootouts currently begin with two separate coin tosses. One toss decides which goal will be used for the kicks, and the other gives the toss winner the right to choose whether their team takes the first kick or the second.

The reported FIFA idea would keep a coin toss but reduce it to a single decision point. The captain who wins the toss would select either the end where the kicks are taken or whether to shoot first or second.

After that choice is made, the opposing captain would decide the remaining option. In effect, control over the two decisions would be split between the teams rather than potentially being concentrated with the toss winner.

Why FIFA is looking at shootout procedures

FIFA is said to be seeking a shootout format that is viewed as more balanced. The sequence of kicks has long attracted scrutiny because the team that kicks first is often perceived to hold an advantage, even though outcomes depend on many match-specific factors.

By limiting the coin toss to one and sharing the two choices, the change would be designed to reduce the impact of a single toss on the overall shootout setup. It would also streamline the pre-shootout ritual by removing an extra step.

Any adjustment would be particularly high-profile if applied at the 2026 World Cup, where knockout matches can be decided by penalties after extra time. Shootouts are among the most watched moments in major tournaments, and small procedural tweaks can become flashpoints for debate.

The role of IFAB and what happens next

IFAB is responsible for the Laws of the Game, with representation from FIFA and the UK football associations. Changes to core match procedures typically require IFAB review and formal approval before they can be introduced in competitions.

The report indicates the request has been made during preparations for the 2026 tournament, but it does not confirm a decision or implementation timeline. If IFAB were to approve the measure, competition organizers would then need to incorporate it into operational guidance for referees and teams.

For coaches and analysts, a split-choice model could add a tactical layer to the coin toss: captains would need to weigh whether the advantage lies in selecting the shooting order or choosing the end. The next key step will be whether IFAB places the item on its agenda and moves it through the approval process ahead of 2026.