World Cup 2026: Extra Time and Penalty Shootout Rules Set the Stage for Drama

The knockout phase of the World Cup 2026 has already brought intense drama. Two European giants, Germany and the Netherlands, were both eliminated after nerve-wracking penalty shootouts in the Round of 32.

Paraguay stunned the four-time champions by scoring the decisive spot-kick following a 1-1 draw after extra time. Hours later, Morocco overturned the odds by defeating the Dutch 3-2 on penalties, sparking disbelief among fans and pundits alike.

How Extra Time Works at the World Cup

If teams are tied after the standard 90 minutes, an additional 30 minutes is played, split into two halves of 15 minutes each. There is no sudden death or golden goal rule this time; the match continues until the full extra period ends.

Teams gain one extra substitution during extra time, but no additional hydration breaks are given beyond those in regulation time. The golden goal rule, once used in 1998 and 2002, is no longer applied.

Penalty Shootout Procedures

If no winner emerges after 120 minutes, the outcome is decided by penalties, a method introduced in the 1978 World Cup.

A coin toss determines which team shoots first and the end where the kicks take place. Each side takes five alternating shots, and only players on the field who were not substituted may participate. Every player, including goalkeepers, must take a penalty before anyone can take a second attempt.

Shootouts move to sudden death if the initial five penalties per team do not produce a winner. No rebounds are allowed; once a shot is saved, the ball cannot be followed up. Goalkeepers must stay on their line until the ball is kicked, as seen when Croatia's Dominik Livakovic was penalized for moving early, allowing Harry Kane a retake.

England have struggled historically with shootouts, having won only one on the international stage, against Colombia in 2018.

Reactions After Dutch Elimination

Zlatan Ibrahimovic said, "This is on Ronald Koeman because I didn’t recognise this Dutch team, and he lost with an identity that is not the Dutch identity, and that makes me angry."

Thierry Henry agreed, adding that Koeman seemed to focus on not losing rather than winning.

Koeman defended his approach, saying, "If I had to do it again, I would do it the same way. When you are the Dutch head coach, after conceding an equalizer, I will be criticized for having five defenders. But I felt it was necessary. The team agreed."

German Fans and Media React to Early Exit

The mood was grim in Germany after their loss. Julian Nagelsmann’s side faced harsh criticism for a lackluster performance. German outlet Bild described it as a "disastrous performance" in their first knockout game since winning the World Cup in 2014, calling the display "slow, boring, lethargic" and a "football nightmare."

Global Responses to the Upsets

Other nations took notice. Italian media congratulated South American teams, while French commentators labeled Germany’s exit as the biggest shock of the tournament so far.