World Cup 2026: What are the extra time and penalty shootout rules?
The World Cup knockout stages use extra time and penalty shootouts to determine a winner if the 90 minutes of standard gameplay fail to yield a winner. Extra time lasts for 30 minutes, broken into two 15-minute halves, and a penalty shootout takes place if a match is stil…
Intelligence analysis by Llama
The World Cup uses extra time and penalty shootouts to break ties in the knockout stages. Extra time lasts 30 minutes, and a penalty shootout occurs if the teams are still tied after extra time.
Imagine you're playing soccer in the World Cup, and the game is tied at the end of 90 minutes. That's when extra time comes in – two 15-minute halves where both teams get a chance to score and win the game. If it's still tied after that, the teams take turns shooting at the goal from a spot 12 yards away, called a penalty shootout. It's like a big game of 'dodgeball' where the goalkeeper has to stay still and the other players try to kick the ball into the goal.
Analysis
What is Extra Time in the World Cup?
Extra time, also known as overtime, is a tiebreaker phase used in the World Cup knockout stages. It is employed when the 90 minutes of standard gameplay fail to yield a winner. This additional period of play is designed to determine a winner before moving on to penalties.
How Long is Extra Time in the World Cup?
Extra time in the World Cup lasts for a total of 30 minutes, broken into two 15-minute halves. At half-time, the teams switch sides as they do during a 90-minute match. This allows both teams to have an equal opportunity to score and potentially win the match.
When Does a Penalty Shootout Happen?
A penalty shootout takes place if a match is still tied after the 30 minutes of extra time. This is the final stage of the tiebreaker process, where players from each team take turns shooting at the goal to determine the winner.
What Are the Rules for a Penalty Shootout?
A coin toss by the referee determines which goal the shootout is to be taken at. A second toss usually decides which team takes the first strike. In the initial round, each team selects five players to take the first five strikes. Teams alternate attempts: Team A, then Team B, and so on. Only players who were on the pitch at the final whistle of extra time can take penalties, and any eligible player can be chosen as a striker, including the goalkeeper. If the teams remain tied after five penalties each, the shootout goes to sudden death. Each team takes one penalty per round. As soon as one team scores while the other misses in the same pair, the shootout ends. The goalkeeper must remain on the goal line, facing the striker, between the posts until the ball is kicked. He can move along the line laterally but may not advance in front of it.
Famous Penalty Shootouts in World Cup History
The 1994 World Cup final between Brazil and Italy was the first World Cup final ever decided by a penalty shootout. Brazil won 3-2 on penalties after a 0-0 draw. Roberto Baggio’s heartbreaking miss became a particularly notable moment from the tournament. In 1990, during World Cup semifinals, West Germany beat England 4-3, while Argentina knocked out the host, Italy, also by 4-3, with both matches decided on penalties. During the 2006 World Cup, Italy beat France 5-3 on penalties. In 2014, Brazil won 3-2 on penalties, defeating Chile during the World Cup round of 16. During the 2018 World Cup, Croatia beat Denmark 3-2 on penalties in the round of 16 before proceeding to the quarterfinals to beat Russia 4-3 on penalties.
Key points
- Extra time is a tiebreaker phase used in the World Cup knockout stages.
- Extra time lasts for 30 minutes, broken into two 15-minute halves.
- A penalty shootout takes place if a match is still tied after extra time.
- The rules for a penalty shootout include a coin toss to determine which goal is used and which team takes the first strike.
- Only players who were on the pitch at the final whistle of extra time can take penalties.
The introduction of extra time and penalty shootouts in the World Cup has led to some of the most thrilling and memorable moments in football history. Fans can look forward to even more exciting matches and dramatic finishes in the future.
The pressure of penalty shootouts can be intense, and players may experience anxiety and stress. Additionally, the risk of injury during extra time is higher due to the physical demands of the game.
