Soccer is one of the world’s most popular sports, and it has been for many years. But have you ever wondered about how long a soccer game lasts? The answer may surprise you!
Most professional soccer games last 90 minutes, with two 45-minute halves. However, there are some variations depending on the level of play or tournament rules. For example, international friendly matches usually last 80 minutes with two 40-minute halves. Professional tournaments such as the World Cup also use longer match times to accommodate more games in the same amount of time.
Outside of professional leagues, recreational soccer games can vary greatly in duration. Generally speaking, recreational games don’t always keep track of the exact time and just continue until everyone has had enough. This can range from a few minutes to an hour or longer depending on the players involved. Additionally, some recreational soccer leagues have specific rules regarding match length that may be different from professional matches.
It is important to note that referee stoppage time is added at the end of each half in many competitive soccer matches due to injuries or delays during play. This means that actual playing time may be much shorter than 90 minutes total if there are multiple interruptions during a game.
So next time you watch a soccer game on TV or attend one in person, keep an eye on the clock! You never know when the game will end due to stoppage time or other factors that may affect total playing time.