Link: https://www.allforxi.com/nwsl/13740/nwsl-release-updated-competition-rules-for-2026-season

From the HIP rule and goalkeeper injury time many changes are coming to the NWSL in 2026

Looks like they’re doing away with the goalkeeper timeouts:

One of the most interesting developments was the new protocol during in-game goalkeeper injuries. In the past and often in the 2025 NWSL season during a stoppage in play a goalkeeper would seemingly pretend to go down with an injury giving time for both teams to take a break to hydrate and receive instructions from their technical staff.

The official guidelines state: “Players must either remain in the area they were located when play was stopped, or may congregate on their team’s side of the midfield center circle. In the event of a team’s players approaching the technical area during a stoppage for a goalkeeper injury, the respective team and/or its head coach may be subject to league discipline.”