Are you following the new FIFA rules coming in at the 2026 World Cup? In this blog, St Mary's football coaching lecturer Ashley Gumbrell explains what's changing, how it will affect sideline communication, and why preparation could become a major competitive advantage.
In football, managers and coaches have few opportunities to communicate with their players during a match. After kick-off, they rely on brief interactions during stoppages, substitutions, and natural breaks in play to reinforce tactics and respond to changing situations.
At this year’s , a series of new rule changes aimed at improving game flow and reducing time-wasting could make these moments even more valuable. While much attention has focused on what rule changes mean for the players, they also force coaching teams to rethink how they communicate from the side lines.
The new rules of FIFA will provide coaches with even more opportunities to plan their communication strategies on gameday, potentially impacting when, where, and how messages can be delivered.
Why communication windows matter
In football, coaches have limited opportunities to speak directly to players once the game has started. Messages often need to be short, clear, and easy to act upon. A player might receive only a few words, a hand signal, or an instruction passed through a teammate.
For that reason, stoppages have always had tactical value. Substitutions, injury breaks, drink breaks and pauses before restarts can all provide moments to reinforce instructions, calm players down, or adjust the team’s approach.
The challenge at this World Cup is that some of these informal communication windows are being tightened, while others are becoming more structured.
The end of the tactical goalkeeper injury timeout
One of the most significant changes concerns goalkeeper injuries. Teams will no longer be allowed to use a goalkeeper treatment stoppage as an unofficial tactical timeout, with outfield players gathering at the bench to receive instructions.
This matters because teams may previously have used this time to reorganise under pressure. Instead, coaches will need to plan more carefully how information is shared without relying on these breaks.
Teams who already have clear communication systems in place are likely to be the most effective. This could include captain-led messages, agreed cue words, simple signals, and a good understanding of the game plan.
Hydration breaks as planned coaching moments
While some informal opportunities are being restricted, mandatory hydration breaks will create more predictable communication windows. Matches will include a three-minute hydration break in each half.
Although these breaks are designed to support player welfare, they will also become important tactical moments. Three minutes is enough time to deliver a focused message, but not enough for complex over-instruction. Coaches will need to prioritise their strategies and plan for these moments.
Substitutions will need even greater preparation
The new 10-second substitution exit rule may also affect communication. Players leaving the pitch must do so quickly, reducing the chance to use substitutions as long tactical pauses.
This places more emphasis on preparing substitutes before they enter the game. Coaches will need to ensure that incoming players already understand their role, their first responsibility, and any message they need to pass on.
Having clear and regular communication with substitutes during the game will become even more important to help reinforce messages and create opportunities for them to positively impact the game.
Discipline and emotional control
Some new measures also relate to player behaviour, including stronger sanctions around dissent, protest, and confrontation.
This will require coaches to prepare players not only tactically, but emotionally. Players need to know who speaks to the referee, how the team responds to difficult decisions, and how to remain under control when pressure rises.
Going into this World Cup, we may see more pitchside communication about behaviour, leadership, and collective control.
Preparation, not improvisation
The overall direction of these rule changes is clear: football authorities want to improve match flow, reduce delays, and limit the tactical use of stoppages.
For coaching staff, this means gameday communication will need to be more deliberate and well thought out, requiring careful planning of protocols and strategies to maximise their impact on the players.
In a tournament where small details can decide matches, the ability to communicate clearly under pressure on matchday may become a major competitive advantage.
Football coaching programmes at St Mary's University
Ashley Gumbrell is a lecturer in Football Development and Coaching at St Mary's University, London. He has research interests related to sports coaching, coach behaviours and effective competition communication, and is Course Lead for our .
At St Mary's, we offer a range of coaching courses, from undergraduate sports coaching to specialist postgraduate programmes in performance football coaching. We work with a number of renowned industry partners, such as the League Managers Association (LMA), League Coaches Association (LCA) and Chelsea Football Club, giving our graduates genuine insight into the professional game and the practical skills employers are looking for.