Are you curious about the duration of a soccer (football) match? A standard football game is 90 minutes long, but numerous factors can influence the total time. CAUHOI2025.UK.COM explains the breakdown of a football match, including added time, extra time, and the reasons behind variations in game length. Explore the intricacies of football game duration and enhance your understanding of the sport! Learn about stoppage time, youth league differences, and contrasts with American football.
1. The Standard Length of a Football Match
According to FIFA’s Laws of the Game, a standard football match consists of two 45-minute halves, totaling 90 minutes of play. There is also a 15-minute half-time interval between the two halves. However, this is just the base time. Several factors can extend the actual duration of a game. Referees can add stoppage time at the end of each half to compensate for delays during the game.
If a game is tied after 90 minutes in a knockout tournament, there will be extra time with two periods of 15 minutes each. If no team is leading after this extra time, there will be a penalty shoot-out. In this shoot-out, each team takes 5 penalties and if the score is still tied, the shoot-out continues with a “sudden death” rule where the first team to miss a shot loses.
2. The History Behind the 90-Minute Rule
The establishment of the 90-minute match length is attributed to the early days of football in the United Kingdom. Disputes arose regarding game duration during matches between teams from London and Sheffield. To resolve this, a standard 90-minute rule was established, and this rule was adopted worldwide. The game’s basic rules are now adopted by leagues all over the world.
A FIFA official holds a digital timer with the duration of stoppage time
3. Factors Affecting the Length of a Football Game
Several factors can cause a football match to exceed the standard 90 minutes:
- Substitutions: Each team is typically allowed to make a certain number of substitutions during a game. Each substitution takes about 30 seconds, so this time is added to the extra time at the end of each half.
- Injuries: If a player is injured, the game is stopped while they receive medical attention. The time taken to assess and treat the injury is added to the stoppage time.
- Referee Decisions: Controversial decisions or lengthy discussions between the referee and players can cause delays.
- Penalty Kicks: The process of setting up and taking a penalty kick can take time.
- Goal Celebrations: Extended goal celebrations can add to the stoppage time.
3.1. Stoppage Time Explained
Stoppage time, also known as injury time, is added at the end of each half to compensate for time lost during the game. Referees track the amount of time lost due to substitutions, injuries, penalties, goal celebrations, and other delays. This time is then added to the end of the half.
3.2. How Referees Determine Stoppage Time
The referee determines the amount of stoppage time to be added based on their assessment of the delays during the game. They consider the nature and duration of each delay to ensure fair compensation for lost playing time. An official will hold up a board to indicate the minimum amount of extra time that will be tacked on to the end of the game.
4. World Cup Football Game Duration
A World Cup football match also consists of two 45-minute halves with a 15-minute half-time break. However, knockout World Cup games can go into extra time (15 minutes each half). If no team is leading after this time, the game is decided by a penalty shootout.
4.1. Qatar 2022 World Cup and Stoppage Times
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar saw unusually long stoppage times. In the group stage, an average of just under 12 minutes was added to each game. The England vs. Iran game had a record-breaking 27 minutes and 4 seconds of stoppage time. This increase was due to a new FIFA directive to add “unnatural lost time” to the 90 minutes.
4.1.1. Data Study of Added Time
The following table shows the added time for each group game in the Qatar 2022 World Cup:
| World Cup 2022 Group Game | H | A | Goals (Total) | Time added (Total) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov, 20: Qatar V Ecuador | 0 | 2 | 2 | 10.18 |
| Nov, 21: Senegal V Netherlands | 0 | 2 | 2 | 12.4 |
| Nov, 21: England V IR Iran | 6 | 2 | 8 | 27.04 |
| Nov, 21: USA V Wales | 1 | 1 | 2 | 14.29 |
| Nov, 22: Argentina V Saudi Arabia | 1 | 2 | 3 | 20.12 |
| Nov, 22: Mexico V Poland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9.24 |
| Nov, 22: Denmark V Tunisia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12.14 |
| Nov, 22: France V Australia | 4 | 1 | 5 | 13.15 |
| Nov, 23: Germany V Japan | 1 | 2 | 3 | 14.09 |
| Nov, 23: Spain V Costa Rica | 7 | 0 | 7 | 13.06 |
| Nov, 23: Morocco V Croatia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8.18 |
| Nov, 23: Belgium V Canada | 1 | 0 | 1 | 10 |
| Nov, 24: Switzerland V Cameroon | 1 | 0 | 1 | 9.05 |
| Nov, 24: Brazil V Serbia | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8.1 |
| Nov, 24: Portugal V Ghana | 3 | 2 | 5 | 12.07 |
| Nov, 24: Uruguay V Korea Republic | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8.53 |
| Nov, 25: Qatar V Senegal | 1 | 3 | 4 | 13.03 |
| Nov, 25: Netherlands V Ecuador | 1 | 1 | 2 | 10.06 |
| Nov, 25: Wales V IR Iran | 0 | 2 | 2 | 16.35 |
| Nov, 25: England V USA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5.53 |
| Nov, 26: Poland V Saudi Arabia | 2 | 0 | 2 | 17.03 |
| Nov, 26: Argentina V Mexico | 2 | 0 | 2 | 11.57 |
| Nov, 26: Tunisia V Australia | 0 | 1 | 1 | 11.16 |
| Nov, 26: France V Denmark | 2 | 1 | 3 | 10.06 |
| Nov, 27: Japan V Costa Rica | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7.17 |
| Nov, 27: Spain V Germany | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8.1 |
| Nov, 27: Belgium V Morocco | 0 | 2 | 2 | 8.53 |
| Nov, 27: Croatia V Canada | 4 | 1 | 5 | 11.08 |
| Nov, 28: Cameroon V Serbia | 3 | 3 | 6 | 13.38 |
| Nov, 28: Brazil V Switzerland | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6.51 |
| Nov, 28: Korea Republic V Ghana | 2 | 3 | 5 | 16.28 |
| Nov, 28: Portugal V Uruguay | 2 | 0 | 2 | 13 |
| Nov, 29: Ecuador V Senegal | 1 | 2 | 3 | 12.56 |
| Nov, 29: Netherlands V Qatar | 2 | 0 | 2 | 9.11 |
| Nov, 29: IR Iran V USA | 0 | 1 | 1 | 16.56 |
| Nov, 29: Wales V England | 0 | 3 | 3 | 9.01 |
| Nov, 30: Tunisia V France | 1 | 0 | 1 | 15.11 |
| Nov, 30: Australia V Denmark | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8.01 |
| Nov, 30: Poland V Argentina | 0 | 2 | 2 | 9.06 |
| Nov, 30: Saudi Arabia V Mexico | 1 | 2 | 3 | 13.37 |
| Dec, 01: Croatia V Belgium | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8.23 |
| Dec, 01: Canada V Morocco | 1 | 2 | 3 | 9.03 |
| Dec, 01: Japan V Spain | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8.16 |
| Dec, 01: Costa Rica V Germany | 2 | 4 | 6 | 11.03 |
| Dec, 02: Korea Republic V Portugal | 2 | 1 | 3 | 9.01 |
| Dec, 02: Ghana V Uruguay | 0 | 2 | 2 | 17.45 |
| Dec, 02: Cameroon V Brazil | 1 | 0 | 1 | 13.59 |
| Dec, 02: Serbia V Switzerland | 2 | 3 | 5 | 13.18 |
4.1.2. Analysis of the World Cup 2022 Data
- A total of just under 563 added minutes were played (over 6 matches worth).
- The average added time was just under 12 minutes.
- Over 60% of games lasted over 100 minutes.
- The most added time (27.04) was the England V IR Iran on Nov, 21.
- The least added time (5.53) was the England V USA on Nov, 25.
- The average game in the first 6 matches of the 2022 World Cup was 106 minutes and 12 seconds (average for 2018 World Cup: 97 minutes 12 seconds).
- More goals generally meant more stoppage time.
- The duration of added time decreased as the tournament progressed.
4.1.3. FIFA Directive on Added Time
Pierluigi Collina, chairman of the FIFA referees committee, stated that the goal was to more accurately calculate the time to be compensated and protect the image of the game. He noted that goal celebrations could take up to one and a half minutes, so three goals could result in five or six minutes of lost time.
A FIFA official holds a digital timer with the duration of stoppage time
5. The Debate Around “Ball in Play” Time
The FIFA directive on stoppage time reflects a broader debate about “ball in play” time. Many fans believe that the actual playing time needs to be increased. Suggestions include stricter punishments for time-wasting and a “stop-clock” system like in the NFL.
6. Half-Time Duration
Half-time in football lasts 15 minutes. The half-time interval separates the two halves of the match and gives each team a break in play to speak with managers and come up with a strategy for the next half. Originally, the half time interval was only 10 minutes, but the time was extended in 1995.
7. Extra Time in Football
Depending on the competition, a football game could go into extra time (ET) if the score is tied after the initial 90 minutes of play time. This extra time period is usually split into two halves. The duration of each half is 15 minutes, for a total of 30 minutes. During extra time the players play for two additional 15 minutes and any goals that are scored are added to the final score of the game.
8. Penalty Shoot-Outs
When the score of the game is equal after the two 15-minute halves, a penalty shoot out will decide the winner of the competition. During penalties, players from each team will try to kick the ball past the goalie to score a goal. Members of each team will alternate taking shots on goal with the only defender being the opposite team’s goalkeeper. Each team will have five attempts to score a goal and each shot must be taken by different players. The goals scored during the penalties are not added to the final score of the game.
The winner of the game is decided based on whoever gets the highest number of goals out of the five attempts. If the teams are still tied after the shootout, they will go into “sudden death.” During sudden death, the first team to miss a shot loses the game.
9. “Fergie Time”
“Fergie Time” is a phrase named after the former manager of Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson. Fergie time refers to the amount of excessive time that a team needs at the end of the match to tie or win the game. This phrase came about from the perception that Manchester United would frequently win games that they were not winning in an extra minute or two that were added on to the end of the game.
10. Average “Ball in Play” Time
Data from the first two Premier League weeks of the 2022/23 season revealed that the ball was only in play for an average of 54 minutes. There have been increasing calls for a minimum ball in play duration of 60 minutes, which would involve a ‘stop-clock’ system.
11. Football Game Length in Youth Leagues
Youth football games are often shorter than 90 minutes due to the physical capabilities of children. The duration depends on the age group. For example, under-six leagues play games that consist of 10-minute halves, while under-fourteen leagues play two 35-minute halves. Footballers over the age of 17 play the standard 45-minute halves.
length of football game uk youth
12. Differences Between UK Football and American Football (NFL)
There are significant differences between football in the UK and American football. While a UK football game lasts a minimum of 90 minutes, an NFL game can go on for hours. According to official rules, an NFL match should last a minimum of 60 minutes (1 hour). This hour of playing time is split into two 30-minute halves. Each of the halves that make up the hour of playing time consists of two 15-minute quarters, for a total of four quarters.
12.1. Average NFL Game Length
A NFL game always goes over the allotted time, averaging around three hours due to interruptions like media downtime and injuries.
13. 5-A-Side Football Duration
A 5-a-side football match is typically 40 minutes long, with two 20-minute halves. 6-a-side and 7-a-side football games are often 45 minutes long.
14. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- How long is a standard football game?
A standard football game is 90 minutes long, consisting of two 45-minute halves. - What is stoppage time?
Stoppage time, or injury time, is added at the end of each half to compensate for delays during the game. - How long is half-time in football?
Half-time in football lasts 15 minutes. - What happens if a football game is tied after 90 minutes?
In a knockout tournament, the game goes into extra time, consisting of two 15-minute halves. - What is a penalty shoot-out?
A penalty shoot-out decides the winner of a game that is still tied after extra time. - How long are youth football games?
Youth football game lengths vary depending on the age group, ranging from 20 minutes to 70 minutes. - How does American football game length compare to UK football?
American football games (NFL) typically last around three hours, much longer than UK football games. - What is “Fergie Time”?
“Fergie Time” refers to the perception that Manchester United would frequently win games with extra time added at the end. - What is the average “ball in play” time in football?
The average “ball in play” time in football is around 54 minutes. - How long is a 5-a-side football match?
A 5-a-side football match is typically 40 minutes long.
Understanding the duration of a football game involves more than just knowing the standard 90 minutes. Factors like stoppage time, extra time, and the specific rules of different leagues all contribute to the total time. For more insights and answers to your burning questions, visit CAUHOI2025.UK.COM.
Are you still curious about the beautiful game? Do you have more questions about football rules, strategies, or history? Visit CauHoi2025.UK.COM today to explore a wealth of information and expand your knowledge of the sport! Our comprehensive resources are designed to provide you with the answers you need, quickly and reliably.
