FIFA has announced a proposal to modify the rules governing penalty shootouts prior to the knockout stages of the upcoming 2026 World Cup. The organization suggests that only one coin toss should be conducted, aiming to simplify the procedure and minimize random advantages that may arise from multiple tosses.

Currently, referees perform two coin tosses: the first to determine which team kicks first and the second to decide the goal at which the shootout will take place. Under FIFA's new proposal, the winning team of the single coin toss will have the option to choose either to shoot first or second, or to select the goal for the shootout, while the opposing team will take the remaining choice.

This change is pending approval from the International Football Association Board (IFAB). If approved, referees will only perform one coin toss before the shootout, contrasting with the current two-toss regulation. This adjustment aims to eliminate the possibility of a team gaining both advantages, as seen in the 2025-2026 Champions League final where Paris Saint-Germain won both tosses and dictated both the shooting order and goal selection, ultimately defeating Arsenal 4-3 to retain their title.

Observers believe that FIFA's intention is to streamline the shootout process and reduce controversies surrounding advantages gained through chance. Statistical studies in football indicate that teams shooting first often hold a psychological advantage, as leading or forcing the opponent to chase the score can create additional pressure.

In previous years, FIFA and IFAB have sought to adjust the shootout format. They experimented with the 'ABBA' system, which aimed to mitigate the advantage of the first shooter. In this format, the sequence of kicks would alternate as A-B-B-A-A-B-B-A, modeled after tennis tie-breaks to lessen the psychological pressure on the second shooter. However, this method was not widely adopted due to its complexity, which created difficulties for players, referees, and spectators in tracking the order of kicks.

It remains unclear whether the new regulation, if approved by IFAB, will become mandatory across all football tournaments or if organizers will have the discretion to implement it. According to Norwegian news outlet VG, FIFA hopes to have the changes approved before the knockout stage of the World Cup begins on June 28, 2026. If approved in time, the new rule will be applied in matches that require a penalty shootout to determine the winner in the knockout phase.