Understanding the 2026 FIFA World Cup Rules
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup right around the corner, now is a good time to get familiar with the rules.
This discussion will center on extra time during the group stage of the tournament.
What is the World Cup group stage?
This year’s World Cup features 48 nations, up from 32 in the 2022 event.
The tournament kicks off with the group stage, where the 48 countries are split into 12 groups, labeled from A to L. In this stage, each team competes against the other three teams within their group to find out which 32 will move on to the knockout rounds.
Will there be overtime during the group stage?
Matches in the group stage can end in a tie. Teams earn one point for a draw and three for a victory, while no points are awarded for a loss.
The two leading teams from each group, along with the top eight third-place teams, will advance to the Round of 32.
So, if teams are tied at the end of regulation time in a group match, the game will finish as a draw, with both sides getting one point.
How many hours are added at the end of each half?
It’s important to distinguish between extra time—introduced in the knockout stages—and stoppage time.
Stoppage time is the extra period added by the referee at the end of each half to account for interruptions, like injuries or substitutions. The referee tracks these delays, and as the first or second half nears completion, they inform the officiating team of how much time to add, posting it on the digital board.
This illustration shows stoppage time in action, emphasizing its importance in previous tournaments. For instance, at the 2022 World Cup, stoppage time was a hot topic. In fact, actual playing time during matches often ranged from 52 to 58 minutes. However, FIFA has aimed to extend stoppage time to enhance the viewing experience.
Pierluigi Colina, chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, mentioned that the goal is to provide more excitement for viewers.
As observed in the 2022 tournament, matches displayed considerable increases in stoppage time. Some, like the Argentina versus Saudi Arabia game, featured up to 14 additional minutes in the second half, while another, England against Iran, had 15 minutes in the first half and 14 in the second.
But remember, that’s not the same as overtime. If a group stage match ends at, say, 1-1 after 90 minutes, additional stoppage time might be added, but if it remains tied, the match concludes as a draw.
It’s once we move into the knockout stage, beginning at round 32, that extra time will finally come into play.
