FIFA calls for mid-World Cup rule change just days before knockout games

FIFA have called for a shock rule change during the middle of the World Cup - just days before the knockouts begin.

The historic 48-team showpiece in North America has featured a whole host of changes to give the event a different feel - including two hydration breaks and a new rule which saw Paraguay star Miguel Almiron sent off for covering his mouth during a confrontation with an opponent.

But another major shift is set to arrive prior to the World Cup round of 32 kicking off on Sunday.

Martyn Ziegler of The Times is reporting that FIFA have demanded IFAB (International Football Association Board) make a significant tweak around penalty shoot outs and the coin tosses that precede them.

Currently there are two coin tosses which determine who gets to go first and which end the penalties will be taken - both huge advantages for whoever wins.

FIFA want just a single toss going forward, meaning the winner has the option between going first or choosing the end and whoever loses is afforded second choice.

It comes after Arsenal lost both tosses in the Champions League shoot-out against Paris Saint-Germain, who defended their crown after Gabriel Magalhaes blazed his penalty over the bar in Budapest.

The thinking is that only one toss will make it fairer so that there is not the risk of a double advantage for one team.

In the 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France, Lionel Messi won the first toss for penalties to choose the end before Hugo Lloris won the second toss which saw the 2018 winners go first with spot-kicks.

Argentina emerged victorious, with Gonzalo Montiel producing heroics from 12 yards to give Argentina their third World Cup triumph.

As is the case when deciding kick-off and the direction in which the team plays in the first half at the start of the game, captains are responsible for the shoot-out coin toss with the referee.

FIFA's little-known rule change ahead of World Cup knockouts

The increase of teams in this year's World Cup means there is an extra round, with the USA, Mexico, Germany and Argentina already securing their passage with a game to spare.

As well as the top two progressing from each group, the eight best third-place teams will progress to the round of 32.

But there is a major difference which could well be decisive for a number of teams.

Previously, if teams were level on points then overall goal difference would be the next factor.

However, for the 2026 World Cup, it was decided that head-to-head record would be the key metric.

If this does not separate teams, head-to-head goal difference is called upon, while head-to-head goals scored is the next available tiebreaker.

All metrics being identical is extremely unlikely but in the event that they are, fair play and FIFA World Ranking could prove decisive.

The rule change eliminated Haiti, Turkey, Tunisia and Jordan from the World Cup after two games.