World Cup basics: What is stoppage time, and why is there so much of it?
Check out live commentary and scores from the United States vs. England World Cup match on this website starting at 12:45 p.m. central time.
While recently there have been rumblings of soccer matches being shortened from their traditional 90-minute length to appeal to a younger generation, at the 2022 World Cup, audiences experience even longer games — a lot longer.
This is due to “stoppage time,” minutes added back to the game clock due to various delays in play. Seven or eight minutes often seems to be the minimum. On a few occasions already, over 10 minutes have been added on. It has resulted in just one of the opening eight games of the tournament finishing in less that 100 minutes.
The lengthier games have prompted a mixed response from former players and soccer pundits.
Former England and Liverpool midfielder Jamie Carragher said on Twitter: “Enjoying the amount of time that is being added on by the officials at the Qatar World Cup 2022. There is too much time wasting in football!”
But South American football expert Tim Vickery said it was “adding extra rounds at the end of a boxing match.”
“Not in favor of these giant stoppage times,” Vickery wrote on Twitter. “Grinding the players into the ground. 4 would have been fine. 9? Not for me.”
He added: “Players already cover much more ground than they used to. Make up for blatant time wasting, ok. But all this is too much.”
Physiotherapist Matt Konopinski also warned that the increase in the amount of added time, on top of “an acute demand in terms of games and games density,” could lead to more player injuries.
Get full background here:
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World Cup basics: What is stoppage time, and why is there so much of it?
TNS
The captain of the Three Lions has averaged a goal per World Cup game. The Tottenham star needs just two international goals to match Wayne Rooney’s 53 goals as England’s all-time top scorer.
TNS
The captain of the Three Lions has averaged a goal per World Cup game. The Tottenham star needs just two international goals to match Wayne Rooney’s 53 goals as England’s all-time top scorer.
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World Cup basics: What is stoppage time, and why is there so much of it?
Joan Monfort
The 34-year-scoring machine has not slowed down. He has 18 goals in his first 19 games for Barcelona after leaving as the top scorer in Germany’s Bundesliga for the past seven seasons. He scored 41 goals in the 2020-21 season.
Joan Monfort
The 34-year-scoring machine has not slowed down. He has 18 goals in his first 19 games for Barcelona after leaving as the top scorer in Germany’s Bundesliga for the past seven seasons. He scored 41 goals in the 2020-21 season.
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World Cup basics: What is stoppage time, and why is there so much of it?
Antonio Calanni
Who is “The Next Messi”? Mbappe could certainly end up in the running. The 23-year-old has scored 28 goals for France. He is known for his creativity, speed and ability to change pace. He has helped lead PSG to five French league championships and was a key in France’s 2018 World Cup championship run.
Antonio Calanni
Who is “The Next Messi”? Mbappe could certainly end up in the running. The 23-year-old has scored 28 goals for France. He is known for his creativity, speed and ability to change pace. He has helped lead PSG to five French league championships and was a key in France’s 2018 World Cup championship run.
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World Cup basics: What is stoppage time, and why is there so much of it?
Themba Hadebe
Scored 120 goals in six seasons at Liverpool before leaving for Bayern Munich over the summer. Mane, who is recovering from injury and may miss a few games, is one of the greatest African players of all time. He is known for his fancy dribbling and explosiveness.
Themba Hadebe
Scored 120 goals in six seasons at Liverpool before leaving for Bayern Munich over the summer. Mane, who is recovering from injury and may miss a few games, is one of the greatest African players of all time. He is known for his fancy dribbling and explosiveness.
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World Cup basics: What is stoppage time, and why is there so much of it?
Peter Dejong
Van Dijk, Liverpool’s 6-4 defensive anchor, is captain of the Dutch team and eager to help Netherlands make a run after it failed to qualify for the 2018 Russia World Cup. Holland has been runner-up three times but has never won. Van Dijk is considered among the best center backs in the world.
Peter Dejong
Van Dijk, Liverpool’s 6-4 defensive anchor, is captain of the Dutch team and eager to help Netherlands make a run after it failed to qualify for the 2018 Russia World Cup. Holland has been runner-up three times but has never won. Van Dijk is considered among the best center backs in the world.
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World Cup basics: What is stoppage time, and why is there so much of it?
Kiichiro Sato
At 19 years old, Pedri is among the many rising stars for Barcelona and the Spanish national team. The midfielder was named the Best Young Player of the Euro 2020 tournament and could have a breakthrough in Qatar.
Kiichiro Sato
At 19 years old, Pedri is among the many rising stars for Barcelona and the Spanish national team. The midfielder was named the Best Young Player of the Euro 2020 tournament and could have a breakthrough in Qatar.
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World Cup basics: What is stoppage time, and why is there so much of it?
Manu Fernandez
Real Madrid playmaker Modric is the best-ever Croatian player and one of the best in the game today. At 37 his career is winding down, but he is still one of the most dangerous players as he can score and create magic for teammates.
Manu Fernandez
Real Madrid playmaker Modric is the best-ever Croatian player and one of the best in the game today. At 37 his career is winding down, but he is still one of the most dangerous players as he can score and create magic for teammates.
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World Cup basics: What is stoppage time, and why is there so much of it?
Matt Dunham
He is 37 and having issues with Manchester United, but there is no question Ronaldo remains one of the most lethal strikers in front of the goal. Ronaldo has scored 117 times for Portugal and loves the big stage, so look for him to try and make a statement in Qatar.
Matt Dunham
He is 37 and having issues with Manchester United, but there is no question Ronaldo remains one of the most lethal strikers in front of the goal. Ronaldo has scored 117 times for Portugal and loves the big stage, so look for him to try and make a statement in Qatar.
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World Cup basics: What is stoppage time, and why is there so much of it?
Jeremias Gonzalez
He has flair, finesse and speed. He has scored 75 goals for Brazil. He can play as a striker, a winger or a midfielder. He can score from all over the field, with either foot. He can knock it in with his head, too. There isn’t much Neymar can’t do. If Brazil wins a sixth World Cup title, you can bet Neymar will have been a big part of it.
Jeremias Gonzalez
He has flair, finesse and speed. He has scored 75 goals for Brazil. He can play as a striker, a winger or a midfielder. He can score from all over the field, with either foot. He can knock it in with his head, too. There isn’t much Neymar can’t do. If Brazil wins a sixth World Cup title, you can bet Neymar will have been a big part of it.
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World Cup basics: What is stoppage time, and why is there so much of it?
Nariman El-Mofty
— Where: Qatar
— When: Sunday-Dec. 18
— Who: 32 teams divided into eight groups. The USA is in Group B with Wales, England, and Iran
— Defending Champion: France (runner-up Croatia)
— TV: Fox, FS1, Telemundo
Nariman El-Mofty
— Where: Qatar
— When: Sunday-Dec. 18
— Who: 32 teams divided into eight groups. The USA is in Group B with Wales, England, and Iran
— Defending Champion: France (runner-up Croatia)
— TV: Fox, FS1, Telemundo
