Are you curious about the typical length of a football match and what factors influence its duration? This guide from CAUHOI2025.UK.COM breaks down the standard game length, extra time rules, and other variables that affect the total time.
1. Standard Football Match Duration: 90 Minutes
According to FIFA’s official Laws of the Game, a standard football (soccer) match is 90 minutes long, divided into two 45-minute halves with a 15-minute halftime break. However, it’s rare for a game to conclude precisely at the 90-minute mark. Stoppage time, also known as added time or injury time, is almost always added to the end of each half.
2. Factors Influencing Football Game Length
Several factors can extend the duration of a football game beyond the standard 90 minutes:
- Injuries: When a player is injured and requires medical attention on the field, the time taken to assess and treat the injury is added to stoppage time.
- Substitutions: Each substitution takes time as players leave and enter the field.
- Referee Decisions: Controversial decisions, video assistant referee (VAR) reviews, and disciplinary actions can all contribute to added time.
- Goal Celebrations: While seemingly brief, the cumulative time spent celebrating goals can add up, particularly in high-scoring matches. According to Pierluigi Collina, chairman of the FIFA referees committee, goal celebrations usually take one to one-and-a-half minutes. Three goals scored could mean an extra five or six minutes.
- Time-Wasting: Players may deliberately slow down the game to protect a lead, leading to added time.
A referee signals stoppage time during a soccer match.
3. Stoppage Time (Added Time/Injury Time) Explained
Stoppage time, also known as injury time, is added at the end of each 45-minute half to compensate for time lost due to the factors listed above. The referee determines the amount of stoppage time to be added, considering all delays that occurred during the half.
- Referee’s Discretion: The referee has the sole authority to decide how much stoppage time is appropriate.
- Signaling Stoppage Time: Before the end of each half, the fourth official will display a digital board indicating the minimum amount of stoppage time to be added. The referee can always add more time if further delays occur during stoppage time itself.
4. World Cup Stoppage Time: A Recent Trend
The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar saw a significant increase in stoppage time compared to previous tournaments. This was due to a FIFA directive to more accurately account for “unnatural lost time.”
4.1 Qatar 2022 World Cup Data
The data from the group stages of the Qatar World Cup reveals some interesting insights:
| 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 |
4.2 Key Observations
- Increased Added Time: A total of just under 563 minutes of added time were played during the group stages.
- Average Added Time: The average added time per game was just under 12 minutes.
- Longer Matches: Over 60% of the games exceeded 100 minutes in total duration.
- Extreme Cases: The England vs. Iran match on November 21 had the most added time (27.04 minutes), while the England vs. USA match on November 25 had the least (5.53 minutes).
- Downward Trend: The amount of added time tended to decrease as the tournament progressed.
4.3 Pierluigi Collina on Stoppage Time
Pierluigi Collina, Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, emphasized the importance of accurately calculating and compensating for lost time. His statement explains FIFA’s rationale for the increased stoppage time during the 2022 World Cup:
“What we already did in Russia [2018] was to more accurately calculate the time to be compensated[…]. If you want more active time, we need to be ready to see this kind of additional time given. Think of a match with three goals scored. A celebration normally takes one, one-and-a-half minutes, so with three goals scored, you lose five or six minutes […]. If we want to protect the image of the game we must calculate time and add it on at the end of each half. We do not want matches where the ball is only in play for 43, 44 or 45 minutes. We must make sure the time is fair for both teams.”
4.4 Ball-in-Play Debate
The increased stoppage time reflects a broader debate about the amount of “ball-in-play” time during football matches. Many fans and analysts believe that the actual playing time is often too low due to various delays. Suggestions for increasing ball-in-play time include stricter punishments for time-wasting and the implementation of a “stop-clock” similar to that used in American football.
5. Extra Time and Penalties
In some competitions, if the score is tied after 90 minutes plus stoppage time, the game proceeds to extra time.
- Extra Time: Extra time consists of two 15-minute halves, played after a short break.
- Goals in Extra Time: Any goals scored during extra time are added to the final score.
- Penalty Shootout: If the score remains tied after extra time, a penalty shootout determines the winner. Each team takes turns attempting penalty kicks, and the team with the most goals after five rounds wins. If the score is still tied, a “sudden death” round begins, where the first team to miss a penalty loses.
6. Half-Time Duration
The half-time break in football is 15 minutes long. This break allows players to rest, strategize with their coaches, and prepare for the second half of the match.
7. Youth Football Game Length
The duration of football matches for youth leagues is shorter than that of professional games, with the length varying depending on the age group. For example, under-six leagues might play 10-minute halves, while under-fourteen leagues play 35-minute halves. Footballers over the age of 17 play standard 45-minute halves.
8. How NFL (American Football) Differs
American football (NFL) differs significantly from UK football (soccer) in terms of game length and structure. While a soccer game is 90 minutes long (plus stoppage time), an NFL game can last for three hours or more, despite the official playing time being only 60 minutes. NFL games are divided into four 15-minute quarters with a 12-minute half-time break (except for the Super Bowl, which has a longer half-time show).
9. 5-A-Side Football Duration
A typical 5-a-side football match lasts 40 minutes, with two 20-minute halves and a short half-time break. 6-a-side and 7-a-side games are often 45 minutes long.
10. Fergie Time
“Fergie Time” is a colloquial term in English football referring to the perception that Manchester United, under manager Sir Alex Ferguson, frequently received favorable amounts of stoppage time at the end of matches. Whether this was actually the case is a matter of debate.
FAQ: How Long is a Football Match?
Here are some frequently asked questions about the duration of a football match:
Q1: How long is a standard football match?
A: 90 minutes, divided into two 45-minute halves.
Q2: How long is half-time?
A: 15 minutes.
Q3: What is stoppage time?
A: Extra time added at the end of each half to compensate for delays.
Q4: Who decides how much stoppage time is added?
A: The referee.
Q5: How long is extra time?
A: Two 15-minute halves.
Q6: What happens if the score is tied after extra time?
A: A penalty shootout.
Q7: How long is a youth football match?
A: Varies depending on age group, typically shorter than 90 minutes.
Q8: How long is a 5-a-side football match?
A: Typically 40 minutes.
Q9: What is “Fergie Time”?
A: A colloquial term referring to perceived favorable stoppage time for Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Q10: Why did the 2022 World Cup have so much added time?
A: FIFA directive to more accurately compensate for “unnatural lost time.”
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