Will World Cup third place match go to extra time or a penalty shootout? FIFA rules for Croatia vs Morocco

It's been dubbed one of the most pointless matches in football, but the World Cup third place match still delivers plenty of action on the pitch. 

The 2022 edition will be no different as Croatia and Morocco face off after falling just short of the final. 

Both teams have performed strongly in Qatar to date with Croatia knocking out Brazil and Morocco becoming the first African team to reach the semifinals. 

These sides have excelled defensively at the tournament and chances could be at a premium when they face off for third place. 

Croatia and Morocco in fact played out a 0-0 draw in the group stages, so what will happen this time around if the match ends level after 90 minutes? 

MORE: Why is there a third place match at the World Cup?

Will World Cup third place match go to extra time or a penalty shootout?

Despite being meaningless in the eyes of many and removed from the Euros decades ago, a winner is required in this game and FIFA rules suggest this match will work as any other knockout clash. 

That means that both extra time and a penalty shootout will be used if needed to decide a winner between Croatia and Morocco. 

Some friendly club competitions often skip extra time to save players from having to compete for an extra 30 minutes, but the World Cup rightly or wrongly doesn't take this stance. 

Thankfully, the third place match has very rarely required extra time before with such games often decided with a late flurry of goals. 

This is going to be a fun one 🔥🇭🇷🇲🇦

Who is coming out with the W in the third-place match on Saturday, Croatia or Morocco? pic.twitter.com/34yrUZdBxq

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 15, 2022

World Cup third place match history

Only once has this match required extra time with the 1986 showdown between Belguim and France lasting 120 minutes as Les Bleus eventually claimed a 4-2 win. 

Remarkably, this fixture has never required a penalty shootout before but Croatia will like their chances if that run was to end in 2022 having beaten both Brazil and Japan on penalties in Qatar so far. 

Belgium were the last side to triumph in this game when they defeated England 2-0 in Russia four years ago.