One of football’s most enduring rules: Penalty rebound could be abolished before 2026 World Cup

Penalty rebound could be abolished before 2026 World Cup (AP Photo)

One of football’s most enduring rules — the chance to score from a penalty rebound — could soon be consigned to history. In a significant development that could reshape the way penalties are taken, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) is currently considering a proposal that would remove the opportunity for a second attempt on goal following a missed penalty.

According to The Times (London) and The Sun, the proposal would see penalty kicks become single-shot efforts, meaning that if the initial strike hits the post or is saved by the goalkeeper, the attacking team would no longer be allowed to follow up and attempt to score from the rebound. Instead, the defending team would restart play with a goal kick.

This dramatic shift is gaining momentum among football’s governing authorities and is reportedly being backed by senior FIFA officials. They argue that allowing a second chance from rebounds gives attackers an unfair edge — especially since most penalties are already converted. Furthermore, the proposed change is seen as a way to eliminate the chaos and encroachment that often surround penalties, streamlining the process.

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Italian refereeing icon Pierluigi Collina, now a key figure in football’s rule-making ecosystem, has been a vocal supporter of the idea. In an interview with La Repubblica, Collina stressed the imbalance between attackers and goalkeepers during penalties and suggested that the one-shot rule would restore fairness. “Seventy-five percent of penalties are already scored,” Collina noted, “and to allow rebounds gives even more advantage to the attacker.”

Iconic moments such as Xabi Alonso’s rebound goal in the 2005 Champions League final or Harry Kane’s follow-up strike in Euro 2020 would no longer be possible under the proposed system. Football traditionalists may find the shift radical, but proponents believe it brings consistency, particularly by aligning with how penalties function during shootouts.

Supporters of the change also argue that many fouls leading to penalties occur in situations where a clear goal - scoring opportunity isn't present. Hence, allowing multiple scoring chances from a single infringement seems disproportionate.

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While the change wouldn’t take immediate effect, it could be introduced in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup if approved. IFAB typically discusses such amendments during its annual business meeting in November, followed by a final vote at its AGM in March. Historically cautious, the body has been more receptive to progressive rule changes in recent years.

As discussions advance, the football world awaits what could be one of the most substantial rule changes in over a century. If passed, it will mark a turning point in the game's evolution — redefining the pressure and precision associated with penalty kicks.