How long is extra time in football during knockout matches at the World Cup

Extra time in football knockout competitions, including World Cup Round of 16 matches, consists of two 15-minute halves lasting 30 minutes total. Unlike older formats, there is no golden goal rule, meaning both full halves must be played regardless of whether a team scores early. If the match remains tied after extra time, the fixture proceeds directly to a penalty shootout.

How Extra Time Works in Knockout Matches

When a match finishes tied after 90 minutes of regular play plus stoppage time, teams move into extra time. The two halves of extra time mirror the standard 45-minute format: each lasts 15 minutes, and teams switch ends at the midpoint. Stoppage time is added at the end of each 15-minute segment if injuries, substitutions, or other delays occurred during that period.

Each team receives an additional substitution to use during extra time, providing tactical flexibility as fatigue increases. Even if one team scores in the opening minutes of extra time, the opposing team retains the full 15 minutes of that half to equalize, ensuring both sides have equal opportunity to score.

Penalty Shootout Rules and Sudden Death

If the score remains level after the complete 30 minutes of extra time, the match advances to penalties. Five players from each team take alternating shots from the penalty mark. If one team leads after five kicks each, that team advances. However, if both teams have scored the same number of goals after five penalties, the shootout enters sudden death, with additional players taking one penalty at a time until one team scores and the other fails to match it.

Any player who was on the field at the end of extra time is eligible to take a penalty. If all 11 outfield players and the goalkeeper have taken a penalty and the score remains tied, the order repeats from the beginning until a winner emerges. This format applies consistently throughout all knockout stages, from the Round of 16 through the final.