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World Cup Final Tied: What Happens Next?
20 Jul
Summary
- World Cup final cannot end in a tie; winner must be determined.
- If tied after regulation, 30 minutes of extra time will be played.
- A penalty shootout decides the winner if extra time yields no result.
As of July 20, 2026, the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina remains scoreless at MetLife Stadium. The match is currently in a state where the outcome is uncertain, with neither team having scored. The possibility of a tie has been eliminated, as a World Cup champion must be declared.
If the regulation 90 minutes conclude with an equal score, the contest will advance to extra time. This additional period will consist of two 15-minute halves, totaling 30 minutes of play, including any stoppage time. Notably, the World Cup does not employ a 'golden goal' rule, meaning the match will continue for the full duration of extra time even if a goal is scored.
Should Spain and Argentina still be unable to break the deadlock after extra time concludes, the World Cup title will be decided by a penalty shootout. Players from each team will take alternating shots from the penalty spot. Each team gets five attempts, but the shootout can end earlier if a decisive lead is established. If the scores remain tied after the initial five kicks, a sudden-death format will commence, with teams taking one penalty each until a winner emerges.
