How Long is a Soccer Game? Guide to Soccer Game Times

A soccer game usually lasts for a total of 90 minutes. This game is divided into two halves of 45 minutes each. However, when the clock reaches 45 or 90 minutes, the game does not suddenly stop as it does in other sports. The clock keeps running throughout the match, even when the ball goes out of the pitch or ground. In such cases, additional time is given.

There was a lot of commotion about the timing of the soccer game during the 2022 World Cup, but even in the 2023 tournament, the rules and timing remained widely unchanged. The timing of soccer game often confuses fans. Through this article, let’s clear all the confusion related to soccer match timings.

How long is a game of soccer? :Regulation Game Time

Soccer, also known as football in many parts of the world, is one of the most popular and widely played sports globally. From casual neighborhood games to professional tournaments, soccer matches capture the hearts of millions of fans. A common question that arises, especially among newcomers to the sport, is how long a soccer game lasts.

A standard soccer match is divided into two halves, each lasting 45 minutes. This 45-minute duration is based on real-time play and does not account for stoppages, such as substitutions, injuries, or time-wasting tactics by players. At the end of each half, the referee may add extra time, known as “stoppage time” or “injury time,” to compensate for these interruptions and ensure that both teams have played the required amount of time.

To better understand the breakdown of soccer match timing, let’s visualize a typical game duration using a table:

Soccer Game Period	Duration
First Half	45 minutes
Stoppage Time	1-5 minutes
Half-Time Interval	15 minutes
Second Half	45 minutes
Stoppage Time	1-5 minutes
Extra Time (if needed)	30 minutes (two 15-minute halves)
Penalty Shootout (if required)	N/A

How long is stoppage time in soccer game?

Stoppage time is added to each half of the game at the discretion of the referee. It typically ranges from 1 to 5 minutes, depending on the duration of interruptions during the half. The referee keeps track of stoppages throughout the soccer game, including time spent on injuries, substitutions, and other delays. This additional time is announced near the end of the half and is included in the total duration of the match.

Imagine if we score two or three goals in a half, and then spend three, four, or even five minutes just celebrating those goals,” said the former referee. “We need to consider and make up for this lost time at the end of the game, along with any delays caused by VAR.

In the 2014 World Cup matches in Russia, it became common for the fourth official to display the electronic board with seven, eight, or even nine minutes added. The aim was to provide more excitement for the World Cup viewers.

Officials were reminded of this ahead of the 2023 World Cup. During the group stage, the amount of added time has been notably longer than usual, with five minutes or more becoming the standard at the end of each half.

How long is a high school soccer game?

A typical high school soccer game usually consists of two halves, each lasting 40 minutes of actual play time. This does not include stoppage time for substitutions, injuries, or other delays, so the total duration can be longer. With a halftime break in between, a full high school soccer game often runs for about 80 to 90 minutes in total, including the break.

Are knockout stage world cup soccer games still 90 minutes long?

Well, not exactly; Most knockout stage matches last the usual 90 minutes, but there’s a twist—extra time might come into play. Check our previously published article on Best Soccer Team Names.

Here’s how it works: if a knockout game ends in a tie after regular time, an extra 30 minutes split into two 15-minute halves will be tacked on. Unlike the group stage, where a draw was okay, a clear winner must emerge from each knockout match.

Even after extra time, if the score remains tied, the match will head to penalty shootouts. So, while the majority of games last the standard 90 minutes, there’s a chance for added drama and excitement in the knockout stage!

Half-Time Interval

After the first 45-minute period, players take a break during half-time. The half-time interval usually lasts for 15 minutes, giving players an opportunity to rest, rehydrate, and receive tactical instructions from coaches. Spectators also use this break to refresh themselves and discuss the game’s progress.

Tournament Variations

While the standard duration of a soccer match is 90 minutes (including stoppage time), certain tournaments or competitions may have variations in game length:

• Youth Matches: In youth soccer, game durations are often shorter to accommodate younger players’ endurance levels. Games can range from 30 to 40 minutes per half, depending on age groups.
• Professional Tournaments: High-level professional tournaments, such as the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, or domestic leagues, follow the standard 90-minute format. However, knockout stages might have extra time or penalty shootouts to determine a winner if scores are tied after regular play.

Additional Periods

In knockout matches or tournaments where a winner must be determined, extra periods may be played if scores are tied at the end of regulation time. Extra time typically consists of two additional periods of 15 minutes each. If the scores remain tied after extra time, a penalty shootout is used to decide the winner.

How Do Extra Periods Work? 

Teams have an additional period of 30 minutes to break a tie if they are level after 90 minutes of regular play. This extra time helps determine a clear winner. It can be physically demanding for the soccer players but is an exciting time for the fans watching.

In the past, tournaments like the 1998 FIFA World Cup used a “golden goal” rule, where the first team to score in extra time won instantly. However, this rule is now rarely used in football matches due to changes in the game’s laws.

How long is Pro Soccer Game

A professional soccer game typically lasts for 90 minutes of actual playing time, divided into two halves of 45 minutes each. However, the total duration of a soccer match is longer than 90 minutes due to stoppages, halftime, and potential extra time or penalty shootouts in certain competitions.

Here’s a breakdown:

1. Regulation Time: The game is divided into two halves of 45 minutes each, with a 15-minute halftime break in between. The actual playing time in each half can vary slightly due to stoppages for injuries, substitutions, and other game interruptions.
2. Additional Time (Stoppage Time): The referee can add extra time at the end of each half to make up for delays caused by injuries, substitutions, or time-wasting. This added time is commonly referred to as “stoppage time” or “injury time.”
3. Extra Time: In knockout competitions (like some cup matches), if the game ends in a draw after regulation time, extra time (usually 30 minutes divided into two 15-minute halves) may be played to determine the winner.
4. Penalty Shootouts: If the game is still tied after extra time (in knockout competitions), a penalty shootout may occur to decide the winner.

Therefore, while the standard playing time for a professional soccer game is 90 minutes (plus stoppage time), the overall duration can vary based on the competition format and whether extra time or a penalty shootout is required to determine the outcome.

Here’s how a penalty shootout works in soccer:

When a match ends in a draw after 120 minutes, both teams get ready for a penalty shootout. Here’s what happens:

1. A coin toss is used to determine which team will take the penalty first.
2. Each team takes five penalties, with different players stepping up for each kick.
3. The winner is determined after all 10 penalties have been taken. The team with more goals wins, or if one team establishes an insurmountable lead before all 10 penalties are taken.
4. If the score remains tied after all 10 penalties, the shootout goes into sudden death. Each team then takes one penalty at a time until a winner is decided.
5. If needed, players take additional penalties in a new round, with the order possibly changing, until a winner emerges.

In summary, penalty shootouts are exciting tiebreakers where nerves are tested and heroes are made! If you want to know how long is a volleyball game? you can check this.

Is There Overtime in Soccer?

In regular soccer games, outside of tournaments like the Olympics or World Cup, overtime is usually not given. If a game is tied at the end of the regular 90 minutes of play, it simply ends in a draw. Unlike many other sports, soccer game allows to end in a tie, and there are ways to reflect this in the ranking system.

In tournaments where a winner must be determined (like the World Cup), soccer has overtime rules. In these cases, if a match is tied at the end of 90 minutes of play, the game goes into an extra period, which other sports might call “overtime.

According to the current FIFA rules 2023, two 15-minute periods are added at the end of regular time. If the game is still tied at the end of these 30 minutes of extra play, the result of the game is decided by a penalty shootout.

What are the Basic Rules of Soccer?

The basic rules of soccer, also known as association football, are designed to ensure fair play and an orderly game. Here’s an overview of the fundamental rules:

1. Field: Soccer is played on a rectangular field with goals at each end. The standard dimensions of a soccer field can vary, but generally, it is around 100-130 yards long and 50-100 yards wide.
2. Teams: Each team consists of 11 players, including one goalkeeper. The objective is to score goals by getting the soccer ball into the opposing team’s goal.
3. Game Duration: A standard soccer game consists of two halves, usually 45 minutes each, with a 15-minute halftime interval.
4. Kick-off: The game starts with a kick-off from the center spot of the halfway line. The ball must move forward at the kick-off.
5. Offside Rule: Players can be called offside if they are closer to the opponent’s goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last defender (usually the last outfield player) when the ball is passed to them.
6. Fouls and Free Kicks:
   • Fouls are penalized by free kicks.
   • Direct free kicks can be taken directly on goal, while indirect free kicks require the ball to touch another player before a goal can be scored.
   • Penalties are direct free kicks taken from the penalty spot, 12 yards away from the goal line, with only the goalkeeper defending.
7. Yellow and Red Cards: Referees can issue yellow cards for caution and red cards for serious offenses. Two yellow cards result in a red card, leading to the player’s ejection from the game.
8. Throw-ins: When the ball goes out of play over the touchline (side boundary), it is returned to play by a throw-in. The ball must be thrown in with both hands from behind the head.
9. Goal Kicks and Corner Kicks:
   • A goal kick is awarded when the ball goes out of the goal line (but not into the goal) after being touched last by an attacker. The defending team takes a goal kick from within the penalty area.
   • A corner kick is awarded when the ball goes out of the goal line (but not into the goal) after being touched last by a defender. The attacking team takes a corner kick from the corner arc.
10. Ball Out of Play: The ball is out of play when it fully crosses the goal line or touchline, or when the referee stops play for an infringement.

These are the basic rules of soccer. There are additional details and nuances, but understanding these basics is crucial for playing and enjoying the game.

Are the soccer game still 90 minutes in the knockout stage of the world cup?

It’s not necessary. Most games during the knockout stage are still 90 minutes long. However, there is also a possibility of extra time. A 30-minute period, divided into two 15-minute halves, will be added at the end of knockout games that end in a draw. Unlike the group stage where draws were allowed, each knockout match must determine a winner.

So, if it is still tied after regulation time, extra time will apply. Just like normal time, there is a good chance that there still won’t be a winner after the extra 30 minutes, which leads to the final method to get a result penalties!

How Many Quarters in Soccer?

In professional soccer matches, teams play in two halves without any quarters. However, in some youth soccer leagues following the rules of the United States Youth Soccer Association, matches might be divided into several 10 or 12-minute quarters with breaks in between.

How Long Does It Take to Watch a Soccer Game? 

In soccer, a game normally lasts 105 minutes. But in the knockout stage, games can go longer. This happens when the teams are tied after 105 minutes. Then they play extra time and penalty shootouts to decide the winner.

Conclusion

In summary, a standard soccer game lasts for 90 minutes, divided into two halves of 45 minutes each, with a 15-minute half-time interval. Additional time, known as stoppage time, is added by the referee to account for interruptions during play. Variations in game duration may occur based on the level of play and tournament format. Understanding the timing of a soccer match enhances the enjoyment and appreciation of this dynamic sport, where every second counts towards victory.

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