​The idea that a soccer match lasts exactly 90 minutes is more myth than reality.If you’ve been following the 2026 World Cup, you’ve probably noticed that the referee almost never ends the game exactly when the clock hits 90 minutes. The same will hold true during this week’s semifinal games, which continue today with an epic showdown between Lionel Messi-led Argentina and England, featuring Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane.Instead, games often continue with long periods of extra time, when players are clearly tired and things can get unpredictable. For example, in its tournament-opening 4-1 win over Paraguay on June 12, Team USA scored twice during stoppage time, including a goal just before halftime. And on Sunday night, in a thrilling match between England and Mexico at Azteca Stadium, 11 minutes of stoppage time were added as an exhausted England squad, playing down a man in a somewhat hostile environment, withstood a frenzied Mexican attack in the final moments and held on to win 3-2.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThose are just a couple of examples of how stoppage time has affected games in this World Cup. As the tournament advances into the crucial knockout rounds, every minute of every game counts, making it more important than ever to understand how referees decide when the game actually ends.Here’s what stoppage time means, how referees figure it out, and why soccer matches almost never finish right on schedule.World Cup matches total 90 minutes, divided into two 45-minute halves, but most games last about two hours from start to finish.The halftime break lasts about 15 minutes, and stoppage time at the end of each half can add 10+ minutes. FIFA has also introduced mandatory three-minute “hydration breaks” midway through each half (around the 22nd minute) in every match at the 2026 World Cup.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIn sports such as American football and basketball, the clock stops whenever play is interrupted. Soccer is different. The referee’s watch keeps running, no matter if the ball is in play or not.To make up for this, referees add extra minutes at the end of each half. This is called stoppage time or added time and it’s meant to give back the time lost when the ball wasn’t in play. The fourth official shows the minimum added time on an electronic board by the sideline.Substitutions: Roughly 30 seconds per player change.Goal celebrations: Celebrations can consume a minute or more.Injuries: Medical treatment on the field can create lengthy delays.Time-wasting: Goalkeepers and players slowing restarts.VAR reviews: Video reviews often add several minutes.Lately, officials have been more careful about making up for lost time, so it’s now common to see five, eight, or even 10 minutes of stoppage time added.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFans might watch the stadium clock, but referees keep track of time in their own way.Most referees wear two special watches, one on each wrist. The second watch is a b