Critics say that allowing on-field concussion tests leads to sub-optimal medical diagnoses because when a player with a suspected injury is substituted, the opposing team is also given a substitute, and a possible advantage

Supporters of the current policy say that the current policy is good for players because it permanently removes players with possible concussion from the match.

Some are calling for a new policy that would allow the medical team an off-field assessment with a temporary concussion substitutes.

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Soccer Can Hurt a Young Person’s Brain
June 19th 2026

An Opinion article in the Wall Street Journal written by David Argus looks at the risks to brain health that come with headers in youth soccer. Are biomarker and imaging studies beginning to show damage from headers?