How long is extra time in the World Cup? Rules for 2026 tournament
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A total of 20 matches ended in draws during the group stage of the 2026 World Cup.
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Such results won't be possible moving forward. Teams will now have to play until there is a winner as the World Cup enters its knockout stage.
What is FIFA's preferred method for determining a winner if one cannot be crowned during the standard, 90-minute World Cup match? It starts with an extra time period immediately following the end of regulation.
If the teams are still level following that additional time, the match is decided by a penalty shootout.
Here's what to know about the 2026 World Cup's extra time rules, including the allotted length of the bonus period.
How long is extra time in the 2026 World Cup?
Extra time at the 2026 World Cup will last a total of 30 minutes – plus stoppage time. It will be divided into two, 15-minute halves, with necessary stoppage time being tacked onto the end of each period.
Extra time is not a sudden death period at the 2026 World Cup. FIFA included a "Golden Goal" provision at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups but has since eliminated that measure.
As such, if extra time is required to decide a knockout stage match, the entire 30-minute period will be played.
What happens after extra time at 2026 World Cup?
If a knockout stage match cannot be decided in extra time, the contest will be decided by a penalty kick shootout.
World Cup 2026 penalty shootout rules
The penalty shootout features players from each teams taking alternating shots from the penalty spot – located 12 yards away from the goal in the center of the pitch – until a winner is determined.
Each team is slated to have a baseline of five attempts in the penalty shootout. However, not all five kicks may be necessary, and the shootout can come to an early end if a team is able to build an insurmountable lead at any point during the endgame maneuvers.
Conversely, if teams remain level after five kicks, the shootout will enter its sudden-death phase. Teams will take one kick each until one side makes its shot and the other misses.
Only the 11 players on the pitch at the end of extra time are allowed to participate in the penalty shootout. Some managers will choose to substitute extra attacking players onto the field late in extra time to give their teams a better chance in the shootout.
Every player on the pitch – including the goalkeeper – must attempt a penalty kick before any player can attempt a second kick.
A coin toss is used to determine which team gets the first attempt in the penalty kick shootout.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How long is extra time in the World Cup? Rules for 2026 tournament