IFAB Laws of the Game · Law 7
Law 7: The Duration of the Match
Periods of play, half-time interval, allowance for time lost (added time), and abandoned matches.
How long a match lasts
A match is two equal halves of 45 minutes, which may only be reduced by agreement between the referee and the two teams before kick-off and where the competition rules allow it.
Players are entitled to a half-time interval of no more than 15 minutes, and a short drinks break where competition rules permit. The interval length may only be changed with the referee's permission.
Added time — what counts
The referee allows, in each half, for all time lost through substitutions, assessment and removal of injured players, disciplinary sanctions, drinks and other stoppages, delays from VAR checks and reviews, and any deliberate time-wasting.
The fourth official indicates the minimum to be added. The referee may add more but may never reduce it, and may not compensate for a timekeeping error in the first half by adjusting the second.
Penalty kicks and abandoned matches
If a penalty kick has to be taken or retaken, the half is extended until it is completed — and during that extension the kick can only result in a goal, a defensive gain, or the half ending.
An abandoned match is replayed unless the competition rules say otherwise.
Written against the published IFAB Laws of the Game. For the official text,
see IFAB's own Laws documents.
Law 7 practice questions
6 questions on
The Duration of the Match, each with the correct answer and an explanation of the
reasoning. These are drawn from the free question bank.
Question 1
Law 7
intro
A competition wishes to play two halves of 40 minutes instead of 45. Is that permitted?
A
Yes, if agreed between the referee and both teams before the match and in accordance with competition rules
Correct answer
B
No — 45-minute halves are mandatory in all competitions
C
Yes, but only if both teams are under 18
D
Yes, and the referee may decide this alone at any point before half-time
Why
Law 7: a match lasts two equal halves of 45 minutes, which may be reduced only if agreed with the referee before the start of play and in accordance with the competition rules.
Question 2
Law 7
standard
The fourth official signals a minimum of four added minutes. During those four minutes there is a lengthy VAR review. What may the referee do?
A
Add further time beyond the four minutes — the announced time is a minimum, not a maximum
Correct answer
B
End the half at exactly four minutes as announced
C
Add further time only if a goal is scored during it
D
Reduce the added time to compensate for the earlier estimate
Why
Law 7: the fourth official indicates the minimum additional time. The referee may increase it but must not reduce it, and further time lost during the added period is itself added.
Question 3
Law 7
standard
A penalty kick is awarded as the added time at the end of the first half expires. What happens?
A
The half is extended to allow the penalty kick to be completed
Correct answer
B
The penalty kick is carried over to the start of the second half
C
The half ends and the penalty is not taken
D
The half is extended by a full two minutes regardless of the outcome
Why
Law 7: if a penalty kick has to be taken or retaken, the half is extended until the penalty kick is completed — that is, until the referee decides whether a goal is scored.
Question 4
Law 7
standard
Which of these is explicitly a cause for the referee to allow additional time at the end of a half?
A
Time lost to goal celebrations
Correct answer
B
The coin toss before kick-off
C
The half-time interval itself
D
A player retying a bootlace without play stopping
Why
Law 7 lists causes for allowance of time lost, including substitutions, injury assessment/treatment, time-wasting, disciplinary sanctions, VAR checks or reviews, and time lost to goal celebrations.
Question 5
Law 7
advanced
The referee realises, after the fact, that the first half was ended a minute early by mistake. How should this be corrected?
A
It must not be corrected by changing the length of the second half
Correct answer
B
The missing minute is added onto the second half
C
The first half is replayed
D
A penalty kick is awarded to the disadvantaged team as compensation
Why
Law 7: once a half has ended, a timekeeping error cannot be corrected by adjusting the length of the other half — the same principle as a decision being final once play has moved on.
Question 6
Law 7
standard
Where competition rules permit a drinks break during normal play (not the extra-time half-time interval), how long should it be?
A
It should not exceed one minute
Correct answer
B
It should not exceed ten minutes
C
It has no limit, at the referee's discretion
D
Exactly five minutes, matching a cooling break
Why
Law 7 permits a drinks break where competition rules allow one, but it should not exceed one minute, and the time used is itself one of the causes for allowance of time lost.