Soccer has no quarters in a standard regulation match. Instead, the game is divided into two halves, with professional and adult matches consisting of two 45-minute periods for 90 minutes of regulation play, according to FIFA. Some youth soccer programs use four quarters or quarter-style breaks, but this is not the standard professional format.
How many quarters are in soccer?
There are zero quarters in standard soccer. A regulation game is split into two equal halves rather than four quarters.
Under the current IFAB Laws of the Game, a standard match consists of:
- First half: 45 minutes
- Halftime: up to 15 minutes
- Second half: 45 minutes
- Regulation playing time: 90 minutes
- Additional stoppage time when required
IFAB, the organization responsible for soccer’s Laws of the Game, specifies that a match lasts for two equal 45-minute halves.
This differs from sports such as basketball and American football, where games are regularly divided into four quarters.
Why soccer uses halves
Soccer is built around long periods of continuous play. The game clock normally continues running while the ball is out of play for events such as throw-ins, goal kicks, substitutions, and many fouls.
Rather than repeatedly stopping and restarting the game clock, the referee keeps track of significant time lost and adds appropriate time at the end of each half.
IFAB lists several reasons for adding time, including:
- Substitutions
- Player injuries and assessments
- Time wasting
- Disciplinary sanctions
- Medical breaks
- VAR checks and reviews
- Goal celebrations
- Significant delays to restarts
The fourth official displays the minimum additional time near the end of each half. The referee can increase that amount if further delays occur.
As a result, a game scheduled for 90 minutes usually takes longer than 90 minutes of real-world time.
How long is halftime in soccer?
Halftime in a standard soccer match can last up to 15 minutes.
It occurs after the first 45-minute half and before the second half begins. Competition rules determine the exact duration, and the interval can only be changed with the referee’s permission.
The basic professional match structure therefore looks like this:
| Part of match | Length |
| First half | 45 minutes |
| Halftime | Up to 15 minutes |
| Second half | 45 minutes |
| Regulation play | 90 minutes |
Stoppage time can make either half longer than 45 minutes.
Does soccer ever have quarters?
Yes, some youth soccer programs use quarters, although professional soccer does not.
Quarter-based formats are especially useful at younger ages because coaches can rotate players at scheduled breaks and distribute playing time more evenly.
For example, AYSO Region 300 states that its U5-U8 divisions use quarter breaks so substitutions can be made at the end of each quarter. Its older divisions normally use two halves, although four quarters can sometimes be used if the referee and coaches agree.
Other AYSO regional rules provide specific examples. AYSO Region 94 lists four 10-minute quarters for its 8U games and four five-minute quarters for 6U play.
That means parents should check the rules of their child’s particular league rather than assuming every youth competition follows the same match format.
What happens if soccer is tied?
A tied soccer match does not automatically create another quarter.
What happens depends on the competition. League matches may simply finish as a draw. Competitions that require a winner can use extra time and, if necessary, a penalty shootout.
Under IFAB rules, permitted extra time consists of two equal periods of no more than 15 minutes each, according to UEFA.
That means a knockout match can include:
- Two 45-minute regulation halves
- Stoppage time
- Two 15-minute extra-time periods
- A penalty shootout if the score is still tied
Those extra-time periods are still generally described as halves or periods, not third and fourth quarters.
Soccer halves vs. quarters
The easiest way to remember soccer’s structure is to compare it with familiar sports.
| Sport | Standard game divisions |
| Soccer | 2 halves |
| Basketball | 4 quarters in many major competitions |
| American football | 4 quarters |
| Professional soccer extra time | 2 additional periods |
So if someone asks how many quarters are in soccer, the standard answer is none. Soccer uses two halves.
FAQs
Are there 2 or 4 quarters in soccer?
Neither applies to a standard match because soccer has two halves rather than quarters. Each regulation half lasts 45 minutes under IFAB rules.
How long is a full soccer game?
A standard soccer game has 90 minutes of regulation playing time, divided into two 45-minute halves. Halftime and stoppage time make the total elapsed time longer.
Do kids play soccer in quarters?
Some youth soccer leagues do use four quarters or quarter breaks, especially for younger age groups. The exact structure depends on the organization and local competition rules.
Is extra time considered another quarter?
No. Extra time is normally divided into two additional periods, each no longer than 15 minutes under IFAB rules, rather than being called additional quarters.
Conclusion
So, how many quarters are in soccer? Standard soccer has none. Regulation matches use two 45-minute halves, while some youth programs use quarters for substitutions and playing-time management.
