Goalkeeper Changing Rules

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Let’s discuss the FIFA Laws of the Game regarding goalkeeper changing rules.

Goalkeeper substitutions can occur in various situations during a soccer match, and it's crucial to understand the rules governing these changes.

Situation #1 – Your goalkeeper is underperforming.

Let’s say you are 20 minutes into the game and your goalkeeper has conceded 3 goals already.

Well, the coach can use one of their substitutions to replace the goalkeeper with a player on the bench.

Or the coach can make a tactical change by swapping them with another player that is already on the field.

Like any other substitute, the goalkeeper cannot come back onto the pitch once they have been subbed off.

Situation #2 – Your goalkeeper is red carded.

In this case, the team must substitute the goalkeeper with an eligible outfield player.

Or substitute an outfield player for a goalkeeper on the bench if they have not already exhausted their substitute limit for that match.

The substituted player must adhere to the rules regarding goalkeeper attire.

Meaning they have to have a different color jersey from their team and opposition.

This ensures that the referees can distinguish them from field players.

Whether a goalkeeper or field player received a red card

The team has to continue the match with a numerical disadvantage.

In professional leagues, recent changes to the rules now allow teams to make an additional substitution during extra time.

A team could use this to substitute their goalkeeper.

Situation #3 – The Goalkeeper Received a Concussion or Suspected Concussion

Many leagues are adopting rules where a concussion substitute is allowed over and above the normal limit of substitutions.

This is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of players if they are suspected to have suffered a concussion, but their team has no substitutes left.

Situation #4 – Before a Penalty Kick

If a penalty kick is awarded during the game, a team cannot change their goalkeeper specifically for that penalty kick.

Once the penalty has been awarded and the goalkeeper is deemed fit to continue playing, they must remain in goal to face the penalty kick.

The goalkeeper cannot be substituted solely for the purpose of facing a penalty kick during regular play.

However, if the goalkeeper is injured or receives a red card before the penalty kick,

The team can substitute them with an eligible player from their squad.

Situation #5 – Before a Penalty Shootout

A team can substitute their goalkeeper with any eligible player from their squad before the shootout begins.

Usually, eligible players are only those players who were on the field at the final whistle of play.

However, once the shootout has started, the goalkeeper cannot be substituted.

Unless they are injured and unable to continue.

In such cases, the team does not need to use one of their allocated substitutions for the goalkeeper during a shootout.