World Cup explainer: How does extra time and penalty shootouts work?
If the 2026 World Cup is the first time you’re watching soccer, then extra time and penalty shootouts are brand new to you.There weren’t any matches with extra time or penalty shootouts in the group stage because those games are allowed to end in a draw. However, now that we’ve reached the knockout stage, ties do not suffice. Someone has to win. Here’s an explanation of the rules for determining a winner when neither team is ahead after 90 minutes, plus stoppage time.Extra timeAt the end of regulation in a tied game, the match goes to extra time.Just like regulation, extra time consists of two halves, though they are much shorter at 15 minutes each. There is also a short break between halves at the 105-minute mark.Notably, extra time is not sudden death, so a goal does not automatically end the match. Play continues through the full 120 minutes, plus stoppage time.If one team is ahead when extra time ends, they win. If the match is still tied, it goes to a do-or-die penalty shootout. Penalty shootoutFor the shootout, each team picks five players to take alternating penalty kicks.Rules for a penalty kick include:Kickers shoot the ball from the penalty spot, which is 12 yards from the goal line and situated directly in the middle of the netThe ball must be stationary before the kicker strikes itThe goalkeeper must remain on the goal line until the kicker strikes the ballThe ball must completely cross the line for it to be a goalIf the goalkeeper deflects the ball and keeps the ball from crossing the line, the play is dead, and the kicker cannot strike it againWhichever team converts more penalty kicks wins. If the score remains tied after five kicks, the teams take one kick each until there’s a winner.
If the 2026 World Cup is the first time you’re watching soccer, then extra time and penalty shootouts are brand new to you.
There weren’t any matches with extra time or penalty shootouts in the group stage because those games are allowed to end in a draw. However, now that we’ve reached the knockout stage, ties do not suffice. Someone has to win.
Here’s an explanation of the rules for determining a winner when neither team is ahead after 90 minutes, plus stoppage time.
Extra time
At the end of regulation in a tied game, the match goes to extra time.
Just like regulation, extra time consists of two halves, though they are much shorter at 15 minutes each. There is also a short break between halves at the 105-minute mark.
Notably, extra time is not sudden death, so a goal does not automatically end the match. Play continues through the full 120 minutes, plus stoppage time.
If one team is ahead when extra time ends, they win. If the match is still tied, it goes to a do-or-die penalty shootout.
Penalty shootout
For the shootout, each team picks five players to take alternating penalty kicks.
Rules for a penalty kick include:
- Kickers shoot the ball from the penalty spot, which is 12 yards from the goal line and situated directly in the middle of the net
- The ball must be stationary before the kicker strikes it
- The goalkeeper must remain on the goal line until the kicker strikes the ball
- The ball must completely cross the line for it to be a goal
- If the goalkeeper deflects the ball and keeps the ball from crossing the line, the play is dead, and the kicker cannot strike it again
Whichever team converts more penalty kicks wins. If the score remains tied after five kicks, the teams take one kick each until there’s a winner.
