The third place play-off at any given World Cup is a bittersweet match — both teams qualify for the contest by virtue of losing in the semi-finals and thus miss out on the chance to play for football's ultimate prize.
This is ostensibly mitigated by the opportunity to go out on a high. If the World Cup were the Olympics, a third-place finisher would stand on the podium alongside the winners and runners-up.
Of course, there is no such scenario in the World Cup. The third place match is played the day before the final, and the winners aren't brought onto the field for the trophy ceremony, although they do receive bronze medals to commemorate their achievement.
Medals aside, there is merit in placing third at a World Cup. For some nations, it's as high as they'll ever hope to finish at the quadrennial.
Given the importance of such a match, it's treated just like any other game in the knockout stage, right?
Does the World Cup third place play-off go to extra time and penalties if it’s a draw?
According to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Regulations, there is no distinction between the third place play-off and other knockout stage matches. In short, a third-place match can go to extra time and penalties if needed.
From the regulations:
- 1. In the knockout stages, if a match is level at the end of normal playing time, extra time shall be played. Extra time shall consist of two 15-minute periods, with an interval not exceeding five minutes before the first period of extra time begins, and a short drinks break (interval) not exceeding one minute at half-time. The players shall remain on the pitch during both of these intervals.
- 2. If the score is still level at the end of extra time, kicks from the penalty mark shall be taken to determine the winner, in accordance with the procedure specified in the Laws of the Game.
There's no mention of a different procedure for the third-place play-off, and there have been no draws recorded in any third-place match going back to its introduction in 1934.
Only one third-place match has ever been level after normal time: the 1986 game between Belgium and France, which was 2-2 after 90 minutes. The match went to extra time, where France scored twice to win 4-2.
As such, a penalty shoot-out has never been used to decide a third-place play-off, but it remains an option if needed.