FIFA Considers New Change in Penalty Shootouts Before World Cup Knockout Stages

Press reports mentioned that the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) is considering introducing a new amendment to the penalty shootout rules before the start of the knockout stages in the current World Cup, allowing teams two options when starting the penalty series.

Reportedly, the proposal involves giving the team the right to choose either to take the first kick or to shoot directly in front of their fans, in an attempt to reduce the element of luck and add a new psychological and organizational dimension to decisive scenarios.

This approach comes as part of a series of discussions within FIFA about developing the penalty shootout system, which has long been considered one of the most controversial aspects of football, especially in major tournaments where decisive matches are settled in this manner.

The proposal is expected to spark widespread debate among federations and coaches, as some believe it may grant an unbalanced advantage, while others see it as a step to modernize the decision-making style in line with the evolution of the game.