How long is a soccer match?
A professional soccer match lasts 90 minutes, played in two halves of 45 minutes, plus stoppage time. Knockout games can add 30 minutes of extra time and a penalty shootout.
Halftime lasts up to 15 minutes. At the end of each half, the referee adds stoppage time to make up for time lost to injuries, substitutions, goal celebrations and video reviews. Since the 2022 World Cup, stoppage time has often been longer than before.
If a knockout match is tied after 90 minutes, two 15-minute periods of extra time are usually played. If it is still tied, the winner is decided by a penalty shootout, with five kicks per team and then sudden death.
How long it really takes
With halftime and stoppages, a professional match usually takes close to two hours from kickoff to final whistle. The ball is actually in play for only about 55 to 60 minutes of the 90.
Did You Know?
Youth matches are shorter. Under the laws of the game, competitions can shorten halves for young players, older players and players with disabilities.