What Happens If the World Cup Final Is Tied? A Simple Guide

Published: July 19, 2026, 4:55 p.m. ET

Editor’s note: You can follow our LIVE Argentina vs Spain World Cup final updates here.

Right now, Spain and Argentina are playing each other in the World Cup final (the big championship match to decide who is the best soccer team in the world). And guess what? Neither team has scored yet!

The Score Right Now

• The game is happening at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, July 19.
• The first half didn’t give either team many chances to score a goal.
• The second half is happening now, and still no one has scored.
• As the game gets closer to the end, you might wonder: what happens if no one wins by the normal time?

If neither team scores — or if they score the exact same number of goals — by the end of 90 minutes, there are special rules to pick a winner.

Can the World Cup Final End in a Draw?

No! The match cannot end in a tie. There must be a winner.

Important: If the match is tied after the normal 90 minutes (called "regulation"), it will go to extra time to find a winner.

World Cup Extra Time Rules

Extra time is like bonus soccer to break a tie. Here’s how it works:

• Extra time lasts 30 minutes total (plus a little extra called "stoppage time" for breaks).
• It is split into two smaller halves of 15 minutes each.
• After each 15-minute part, the referee adds any stoppage time needed.
• There is no golden goal — that’s a rule where the first goal instantly wins (like sudden death). In the World Cup, even if a team scores in extra time, the clock keeps running until all extra time is done.

What Happens After Extra Time?

If Spain and Argentina are still tied after extra time, the winner is decided by a penalty kick shootout.

How the Penalty Shootout Works

• Players from each team take turns kicking the ball from the penalty spot.
  • The penalty spot is a mark on the field 12 yards (about 11 meters) in front of the goal, in the middle.
• Only the 11 players who were on the field at the end of extra time can take part.
• Each team gets 5 kicks to start.
• Not all 5 kicks might be needed! If one team gets ahead by so much that the other can’t catch up, it ends early.
• If they are still tied after 5 kicks each, it goes to sudden death:
  • Each team takes one kick at a time.
  • The first time one team scores and the other misses, that team wins.

Summary

• Spain and Argentina are tied in the World Cup final with no goals yet.
• The game cannot end in a draw.
• If tied after 90 minutes → go to 30 minutes of extra time (two 15-minute halves, no golden goal).
• If still tied → penalty shootout from 12 yards with the 11 field players.
• Five kicks each, then sudden death if needed.

FAQ

Q: Why can’t the World Cup final just end in a tie?
A: Because there has to be one champion. Unlike some games, the final must have a winner.

Q: What is stoppage time?
A: It’s extra minutes added at the end of a half to make up for pauses like injuries or substitutions.

Q: What does "sudden death" mean in the shootout?
A: After 5 kicks each, teams take one kick at a time; if one scores and the other misses, the scoring team wins right away.

Q: Can a player who was substituted (taken out) take a penalty?
A: No. Only the 11 players on the pitch at the end of extra time can be in the shootout.

Q: Is the golden goal used in the World Cup?
A: No. A goal in extra time does not end the game early; play continues until extra time is finished.