Group stage: no extra time
In the group stage, if teams are level after 90 minutes (plus stoppage time), the match ends as a draw. There is no extra time and no penalty shoot-out during the group stage. The result stands.
Knockout rounds: extra time then penalties
From the Round of 32 onward, every match must produce a winner. If teams are level after 90 minutes, Article 14 of the official FIFA World Cup 2026 Regulations specifies the following sequence:
- Extra time: Two periods of 15 minutes each (30 minutes total). The clock runs continuously; a team that scores in extra time does not win immediately (no golden goal rule). Stoppage time is added at the end of each 15-minute period.
- Penalty shoot-out: If still level after 30 minutes of extra time, the match is decided by kicks from the penalty mark. Each team takes five kicks alternately. If still tied after five each, kicks continue in sudden-death pairs until one team scores and the other does not.
Source: Article 14 (Extra time and penalties / penalty shoot-out) of the official FIFA World Cup 2026 Regulations (digitalhub.fifa.com, May 2026 edition).
Substitution rules in extra time
Teams are permitted one additional substitution in extra time, on top of the five allowed in regular time, for a maximum of six substitutions in a match. This is consistent with the rules applied at the 2022 World Cup and in UEFA competitions under the IFAB extra-time substitution provision.
Third-place match
The third-place match (played on 18 July 2026) also uses extra time and penalties if level after 90 minutes, under the same Article 14 rules. Both semi-final losers must compete; there is no option to withdraw.