Football's rule-making body has backed a proposal to change the penalty shootout coin toss system. The International Football Association Board confirmed this week that a switch to a single coin flip is under review, with potential implementation from the 2027/28 campaign.
The current format sees two coin tosses, one to decide which end of the pitch is used and another to decide which team takes the first kick. This system has been criticised for creating an unfair advantage when one side wins both tosses. Recent high-profile examples have highlighted the issue.
Arsenal's last seven shootouts have all seen the same team win both coin tosses. On three occasions, that was Arsenal, and on four occasions, it was their opponents. In every single case, the team that won the coin toss also won the shootout. This pattern repeated this week, with Manchester City and Liverpool both winning their two coin tosses and their respective shootouts. Data analysis presented to IFAB reportedly showed the team winning the first kick wins the shootout approximately 60% of the time, and winning both tosses further increases that advantage.
Proposed reform and timeline
The proposed reform would use just one coin flip. The winner would then choose either the end of the pitch or the right to take the first penalty, but not both. IFAB confirmed the proposal received support at its latest meeting on Tuesday. The board believes the change would bring greater fairness to the decisive moments of knockout football by separating the two key advantages.
The review was reportedly prompted by Arsenal's loss in the Champions League final to Paris Saint-Germain, where Arsenal lost both coin tosses. While the change comes too late for that campaign, it is now on the agenda for IFAB's next Annual Business Meeting in January. That meeting is expected to lay the groundwork for the new system's introduction in the 2027/28 season. The proposal will undergo further consultation and testing before a final vote at IFAB's Annual General Meeting next year.
In other business, IFAB also agreed to extend its ongoing trial of sin-bins in grassroots football and will continue to assess in-game concussion protocols. The board reiterated its commitment to improving player welfare and the flow of the game.
Background and full detail: Daily Cannon
