When it comes to do Club World Cup games go to penalties, the answer is: yes—but only under certain conditions. In the 2025 expanded tournament format, matches do not go straight to penalties after 90 minutes; they first go into extra time, and if still tied, then penalties decide the outcome. ZizaGoal is here to break down exactly when penalty shootouts happen, the new tournament rules, and how things differ between the group stage and knockout rounds.
How the 2025 Club World Cup format works
To understand when penalties come into play, you need to know how the tournament is structured.
- The 2025 Club World Cup has 32 teams.
- It begins with a group stage, with 8 groups of 4 teams each.
- The top two teams from each group advance to a knockout stage (Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Final).
When extra time and penalties are used
Here’s where the drama kicks in. ZizaGoal will explain when extra time and penalties are deployed—it’s different depending one stage of the competition.
Group stage
- No extra time.
- If teams are tied at the end of 90 minutes, they just share points (1 each).
- Penalties are not used in group stage draws.
Knockout stage (Round of 16 onward)
Once the group stage is over, the knockout rounds follow stricter rules to force a winner:
- If a match is tied after 90 minutes, the game goes into extra time: two halves of 15 minutes each.
- During extra time, each team is allowed one additional substitution beyond their standard allotment.
- If the score is still tied after extra time, there is a penalty shootout to determine the winner.
Why this format matters
- It creates consistent tension: fans know matches can’t linger undecided in elimination rounds.
- It allows teams extra opportunity to break the deadlock before the lottery of penalties.
- Adds strategic depth: managers must prepare for fatigue, substitutions, and penalty practice.
Some common confusions cleared up
- Do games ever go straight to penalties? No, in the knockout stage they always include extra time first.
- Does extra time ever happen in the group stage? No. Draws are final; there are no extra periods or shootouts then.
- Are there changes to substitution rules during extra time? Yes, teams get an extra sub in extra time on top of the standard five allowed during actual regulation.
What to watch out for: Regulation in the 2025 edition
- The format is new/expanded, so fans may see unfamiliar procedures compared to older Club World Cups.
- Penalty shootouts will use the standard five-kicks.
- All knockout stage matches require a winner. No draws allowed through any mechanism a knockout match throws up.
Conclusion
Do Club World Cup games go to penalties? Yes—but only after extra time in knockout matches. In group stages, draws stand without penalty kicks. The new 2025 format ensures that anything past regulation in knockout rounds is settled: first with extra time, then penalties if needed.
If you’re following the Club World Cup, ZizaGoal advises paying attention to these rules—the stakes rise with every stage. Want a breakdown of famous penalty shootouts in past Club World Cups, or player stats for those clutch moments? Just say the word!
