A new FIFA regulation governing goalkeeper conduct was enforced during the 2026 World Cup group stage match between Iran and Belgium in Los Angeles.
The rule, which penalizes goalkeepers for excessive time-wasting, was applied in the 85th minute of the 0-0 draw, marking the second instance of the regulation being used in the tournament.
The incident drew attention from German media outlets Bild and Welt, which reported confusion among players and officials regarding the application of the penalty.
The incident drew attention from German media outlets Bild and Welt, which reported confusion among players and officials regarding the application of the penalty.
Iran's coach, Amir Ghalenoei, was notably displeased with the decision, highlighting the ongoing friction between traditional match management and the new experimental rules.
This follows a similar application of the rule during the earlier match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the DR Congo goalkeeper was penalized for taking too long to restart play.
The rapid succession of these incidents suggests that FIFA is actively testing the enforcement mechanisms of the new regulation, despite the lack of widespread familiarity among teams.