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how long is each half in the world cup

Each half in a World Cup match is 45 minutes of regular playing time, not counting stoppage time added by the referee. So a standard game is two 45‑minute halves (90 minutes total), plus added time at the end of each half.

How Long Is Each Half in the World Cup?

Basic match length

  • A regular World Cup match is 90 minutes long, split into two equal halves of 45 minutes.
  • The Laws of the Game state that each match consists of two 45‑minute halves , and this applies to the World Cup.

Stoppage time and why halves run longer

  • At the end of each 45‑minute half, the referee adds “stoppage time” (also called added time or injury time) to make up for delays like injuries, substitutions, VAR checks, and long goal celebrations.
  • This means a “45‑minute” half often runs several minutes longer, especially in recent World Cups where stoppage time has been more generous.

Halftime length between halves

  • The standard halftime interval between the first and second half is 15 minutes at the World Cup.
  • This 15‑minute limit comes directly from the official Laws of the Game, which say the halftime interval “must not exceed 15 minutes.”

Extra time in knockouts (if you’re curious)

If a World Cup knockout match is tied after 90 minutes, it can go beyond the regular two halves:

  • Extra time adds 30 minutes, split into two 15‑minute halves.
  • There is a short break (much shorter than halftime) between extra‑time halves, and if the match is still tied after extra time, it goes to a penalty shootout.

2026 World Cup tweaks (context)

  • For 2026, FIFA still keeps the basic structure: two 45‑minute halves and a 15‑minute halftime in all normal matches.
  • New mandatory three‑minute hydration breaks around the middle of each half will make actual “clock time” longer, even though the official half is still 45 minutes plus added time.

Quick recap

  • Each half in the World Cup: 45 minutes of regulation time.
  • Halftime break: 15 minutes between halves.
  • Real length: Usually a bit more than 45 minutes per half because of stoppage time.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.