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- How long is a soccer game
How long is a soccer game
Based on the IFAB-established ‘Laws of the Game,’ a match is scheduled to last two equal halves of 45 minutes each; this time cannot be shortened unless “the referee, the two teams, and the competition-rule” agree beforehand. Under special circumstances, like “severe weather, fading light, a late kick-off, youth games, friendly matches, or other pre-arranged agreements,” time can be reduced. After the modification, both ‘halves’ have to be the same duration. The modification needs to follow the competition guidelines and be notified to the ‘organizers’ following the game.
Further, the half is prolonged until the penalty kick (if any) is finished if one needs to be ‘taken or retaken.’
A match is replayed in full if it is abandoned (that is, stopped before it can be finished owing to unanticipated events like “severe weather, crowd disturbances, or other major disruptions”). This, however, is contingent upon the competition’s rules or the organizers’ judgments.
Half-time interval -
Interval at ‘Halftime’ is allowed for players, and it can’t be more than 15 minutes. This is a time for team ‘discussions and rest.’ A shorter time frame is acceptable, but ‘the duration should be according to competition rules’ and can only be changed with the referee’s approval.
A brief drink break is allowed ‘during interval of half-time’ in extra time; this break should not last longer than “one minute.”
Allowance for lost time -
The referee makes an ‘allowance’ for all playing time lost in each half through plenty of reasons. This is sometimes referred to as ‘stoppage time or added time.’ The time lost may be due to the following factors:
- player substitutions.
- evaluation and/or withdrawal of players who are hurt.
- wasting time (any effort to pass the ‘game time’ by team or players).
- sanctions for misconduct (time spent during “release of yellow or red cards” and handling of related hiccups).
- medical stops/breaks allowed under competition regulations, such as “cooling” (90 seconds to three minutes) and “drinks” (one minute) breaks.
- delays connected to “checks and reviews” by VAR (Video Assistant Referee).
- celebrations after goals.
- any ‘unanticipated or unexpected’ delays, including those caused by ‘outside interference’ (such as objects thrown onto the field or pitch invasions) or other major interruptions.
The ‘minimum’ additional time, that the referee determines at the end of the last minute of each half, is indicated by the “fourth official.” The ‘minimum’ additional time is a minimum; i.e., if more “stoppages” happen during the period itself, the match may last longer. The referee may extend the additional time, but may not shorten it.
The second half cannot be changed by the referee in order to make up for a ‘timekeeping error’ that occurred during the first half.
The review procedure has no time constraint since ‘accuracy’ comes before speed.
Additional time -
Additional time (also known as stoppage time or added time) is time that the referee adds at the end of each half to account for time ‘lost’ during the match because of “substitutions, injuries, disciplinary action, goal celebrations etc.”
Extra time -
Extra time, which consists of two ‘equal’ periods of no more than 15 minutes each (i.e., 30 minutes total), may be used if the game is still tied after “regulation time” (90 minutes). After extra time, if the ‘score’ is still tied, there can be a penalty shootout.
The official website of “The International Football Association Board” is: https://www.theifab.com/.
That’s all friends.
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