The FIFA World Cup is more than a tournament; it is a global festival where the stakes of knockout matches demand a decisive outcome.
When a knockout game ends level after the standard 90 minutes, teams move into a 30‑minute extra‑time period, split into two 15‑minute halves.
This sudden‑death window was not always part of the competition; in the group stage a draw is sufficient, but once the knockout rounds begin the rules shift.
The Rise and Fall of the Golden Goal
The competition once experimented with a sudden‑death rule called the golden goal, which ended the match the moment a team scored during extra time. The format was tested at the 1998 and 2002 tournaments, producing memorable moments such as Laurent Blanc’s contribution to France’s run that year.
Despite its dramatic appeal, the rule was eventually abandoned because it often produced defensive, low‑scoring extra‑time periods and did not guarantee a clear winner in many cases.
If the score remains tied after the full 30 minutes of extra time, the contest is settled by a penalty shootout, a sequence of spot‑kicks that tests composure under pressure.
The 2022 final in Qatar illustrated this process vividly. Argentina and France traded goals through regulation and extra time, and the match was ultimately decided by penalties, with Argentina prevailing 4‑2.
Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé were the headline protagonists, each delivering performances that will be recounted for years.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The next edition of the World Cup will be staged across three continents, with matches scheduled from June 11 to July 19, 2026, culminating at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
All 48 games will be televised live in the United States on FOX and its sister channel FS1, while streaming options will be available through the FOX One and FOX Sports applications, ensuring fans can follow every moment in real time.
Beyond the spectacle, the tournament’s organization is overseen by FIFA, the sport’s global governing body, which continues to refine the rules that shape how champions are crowned.