Overview
- Group-stage matches can finish as draws with each team earning one point because no extra time will be played in the group phase.
- Extra time will be used only in the knockout rounds, beginning with the round of 32, to decide tied elimination matches.
- Referees add stoppage time at the end of each half to recover delays and they can extend that added time if events occur during stoppage time.
- Mandatory mid‑half hydration breaks in 2026 are expected to increase stoppage minutes and force teams to adjust substitutions and in‑game tactics.
- FIFA raised stoppage time after analyses of prior tournaments and the longer added time will affect scheduling, player fatigue, and broadcast windows in the expanded 48‑team format.