On February 26, former MLS Most Valuable Player Taylor Twellman voiced strong concerns about the lack of consistent concussion protocols among the 48 countries participating in this year’s World Cup. Speaking from Mexico City, Twellman called on FIFA to enforce mandatory concussion substitution rules globally, emphasizing that current disparities could endanger players’ health. His call centers on advancing the MLS concussion protocols demand to ensure better protection for athletes across all leagues.
Concerns Rooted in Inconsistent Global Standards and Player Safety
Twellman, now a broadcaster and brain injury awareness advocate through his ThinkTaylor foundation, which he established in 2011, highlighted the gap between FIFA’s concussion guidelines on paper and the actual enforcement of those protocols at international events. Despite FIFA recommending a suspect and protect method—removing players suspected of concussion for assessment and barring same-day returns—the application varies widely among teams.
“Quite honestly, FIFA should have a concussion sub universal in all the leagues around the world,”
Twellman told Reuters on Monday.
“I don’t think FIFA’s done a good enough job of educating the world and being at the forefront of changing the sport for a better way for the athletes.”
Twellman added.
“FIFA may have a protocol, but that doesn’t mean the application of the protocol is at the same level from every team.”
Disparities in Medical Resources and Concussion Awareness Across Countries
Twellman pointed out that medical infrastructure and awareness vary dramatically worldwide, influencing how brain injuries are recognized and treated. He noted that many players coming from abroad to MLS initially lack basic understanding of concussion symptoms and management.
“Sometimes they don’t even know what a concussion looks like or how it should be treated until they see and discuss it,’”
he said.
“It’s very difficult to be that universal medical voice when some countries don’t even recognise concussions in the same way.”
This disparity represents a significant challenge given soccer’s global reach and the wide range of healthcare capabilities among participating nations.
Progress in MLS and Need for Continued Improvement Across Leagues
While praising Major League Soccer’s advances since his playing career ended from post-concussion syndrome, Twellman maintained that no league should become complacent. All organizations, including the NFL, must continue evolving their concussion policies to meet rising safety standards.
“Has MLS addressed it in a better way than, let’s say, the (English) Premier League or FIFA? Sure. But that also doesn’t mean the league needs to stay where it is and not continue to grow,”
he stated.
“Everyone should have to grow, including the NFL for that matter.”
Advice for Players and Significance of the World Cup Stage
Twellman urged current athletes to take personal responsibility for their brain health by learning and controlling what they can. He reflected on the limited concussion knowledge during his playing years compared to the available information now, framing ignorance as an avoidable risk.
“Take responsibility for your body, your brain, control what you can control,”
he said.
“When I was playing, we didn’t have this information. We now do, so there are no excuses not to be educated on it.”
With over 50 MLS players expected to participate in this World Cup, Twellman views the tournament as an opportunity to display American soccer’s rapid progress. Since the 1994 World Cup helped spark growth leading to the MLS launch in 1996, the league now boasts 30 teams and a broader international presence.
“I think it would be hard to believe anyone that would think the league would grow this fast,”
he commented.
He stressed the importance of this global event as a platform for FIFA to demonstrate true leadership in safeguarding players.
“We’ve got the education, we’ve got the science behind it,”
Twellman concluded.
“Now we’ve just got to make better decisions on and off the field.”
