Explained: Why Super Falcons World Cup matches could last 100 minutes

Explained: Why Super Falcons World Cup matches could last 100 minutes

Ifeanyi Ufomadu 11:16 - 07.07.2023

Matches at the upcoming Women's World Cup could last up to 100 minutes according to a new directive by FIFA.

The FIFA Women's World Cup starts July 20 with co-hosts New Zealand taking on Norway in what is expected to be a cracker. 

Nigeria's Super Falcons begin their quest to win the World Cup for the first time when they take on Canada on July 21.

However, just like last year's Men's World Cup in Qatar, matches at the tournament including those of the Super Falcons could last as long as 100 minutes and possibly even longer.

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Why are Super Falcons matches set to last 100 minutes?

Super Falcons head coach Randy Waldrum

Referees involved in this summer's Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand have been instructed by FIFA that any delays caused by goal celebrations, substitutions, injury treatments, penalties, red cards, and VAR interventions should be added at the end of each half, according to PA news.

The instructions are in line with Fifa's directives during last year's men's finals in Qatar, where matches regularly went over 100 minutes, the competition itself seeing an average of 11 minutes extra time added per game.

England's 6-2 group stage victory over Iran lasted a record-breaking 117 minutes, with over 14 minutes of stoppage time added to the first half and over 13 minutes added to the second half.

Regardless of the time-conserving similarities, there is one major difference between the Qatar showpiece and this year's tournament.

The referees in Australia and New Zealand have been instructed to announce the final decision after an on-field review, explaining why and how they reached the decision to the crowd in the stadium and television audience.

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