Why Do World Cup Soccer Matches Last More Than 90 Minutes?
Learn why World Cup games extend beyond 90 minutes, including stoppage time and extra time rules during knockout stages.
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World Cup games often go past 90 minutes due to stoppage time, which is added by the referee to compensate for any pauses in play, such as injuries, substitutions, or time-wasting. If the game is tied during the knockout stages, it may also go into extra time—two additional 15-minute halves—to determine the winner.
FAQs & Answers
- What is stoppage time in a World Cup match? Stoppage time is additional time added by the referee at the end of each half to compensate for interruptions like injuries, substitutions, or delays during the match.
- When is extra time played in World Cup games? Extra time is played during knockout stages if the match is tied after 90 minutes plus stoppage time, consisting of two 15-minute halves to determine a winner.
- How is the amount of stoppage time decided? The referee decides the amount of stoppage time based on the length of delays such as injuries, substitutions, time-wasting, and other interruptions during the half.