What is stoppage time in soccer? Explaining World Cup's added minutes
Scooby AxsonIf you watch any level of soccer, there is a good chance the game will go into stoppage time at some point in the match.
Although soccer is a sport that operates with a continuous running clock, there will be times when there is no action on the pitch, whether it is a goal celebration, substitution, injury, or a video assistant referee (VAR) review, and the clock doesn't stop for any of those situations.
A standard soccer match consists of two 45-minute halves, and a basic question is what happens with the time spent when there is no action. That is where stoppage time comes into play.
What is stoppage time in soccer?
Stoppage time occurs when the referee, who has sole discretion on the time, adds extra time at the end of each half for delays in play, substitutions and injuries.
An official on the sideline will then hold up an electronic board displaying the minimum amount of stoppage time to be played.
Stoppage time is also applied in extra time of the knockout stage of a tournament, where teams play two 15-minute halves to determine a winner if the score is tied at the end of regulation – before going to penalty kicks.
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