I remember hearing that FIFA had added a rule that only goalkeepers could take goal kicks, but in today’s Tunisia-Japan game (I’m posting during halftime), I’ve seen three Tunisian goal kicks taken by a non-goalkeeper.
Was I mistaken about this rule (it made an impression on me since taking goal kicks was my main function as a defender in youth league soccer)? Has it been changed back? Is Tunisia cheating?
As has already been said, any player can take it, but if a defender’s taking it, then he’s a player who can’t do much else until he runs up to where the ball is. If it’s the goalie taking it, then all 10 outfield players are free to try and win the ball / join the attack. I think that’s why you’ll find the vast majority of teams get the goalie to take them.
The only change in the goal kick rule I’m aware of is that, once upon a time, you had to take the kick from the same side of the goal that the ball went out of play. Now you can take it from anywhere inside the six-yard box. Changed in the '90s if memory serves.
Most of the more peculiar situations covered by various rules (such as the ones xash mentions) wouldn’t normally occur in real life of course, but they were worth knowing during childhood Subbuteo tournaments.