As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, fans worldwide are brushing up on the laws that govern the beautiful game.
Match Duration and Stoppage Time
A standard match runs for 90 minutes, split into two 45‑minute halves. The referee adds stoppage time at the end of each half to compensate for interruptions such as injuries, substitutions and VAR reviews, ensuring the full 90 minutes of play are completed.
Knockout Stage Extensions
If a knockout match is level after the initial 90 minutes, an additional 30 minutes of extra time is played, divided into two 15‑minute periods. Should the scores remain tied after this period, the contest is decided by a penalty shootout, a procedure that has produced some of the tournament’s most memorable moments.
New Measures Against Time‑Wasting
To keep the game flowing, recent amendments require players to leave the field within ten seconds when substituted and impose stricter limits on goalkeepers handling the ball after back‑passes. These rules aim to reduce unnecessary delays and maintain a brisk tempo.
Player Count and Positions
Each side may field up to eleven players, including one designated goalkeeper. The remaining ten outfield players can be arranged in numerous formations, but the total number on the pitch must never exceed the limit.
Understanding Offside
The offside rule prevents attackers from lingering too close to the opponent’s goal. A player is deemed offside if, at the moment the ball is played, they are nearer to the goal line than both the ball and the second‑last defender, unless they are in their own half.
Handling, Fouls and Disciplinary Action
Outfield players may not touch the ball with their hands or arms; only the goalkeeper may use their hands within the penalty area. Fouls that impede an opponent can result in a yellow card, and two such cautions lead to a red card, leaving the team with ten players. Handball offenses inside the penalty box award a penalty kick to the opposing side.
Substitutions and Scoring
Teams are permitted up to five substitutions during a match, with a maximum of three changes allowed in regular time; a fourth substitution may be used during extra time in some competitions. A goal is scored when the entire ball crosses the opponent’s goal line, a moment verified by goal‑line technology to ensure accuracy.
Penalty Shootouts and Recent History
If a knockout game remains level after 120 minutes, a penalty shootout determines the winner. The 2022 edition saw Argentina triumph over France in a dramatic shootout, a victory that still resonates with fans ahead of the upcoming tournament.