FIFA announced in December that all 104 matches at the 2026 World Cup will pause for three-minute hydration breaks midway through each half. The governing body said the measure, introduced after consultation with coaches and broadcasters, is intended to protect players amid expectations of high temperatures at the expanded tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The decision draws on experiences from last summer’s revamped FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, where several matches were played in extreme heat. Players and coaches voiced concerns: Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández said he felt very dizzy and described conditions as dangerous, three of Chelsea’s games carried local weather warnings urging people to avoid strenuous outdoor activity, and then-Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca said training sessions were cut short during a code red heat warning. Atletico Madrid’s Marcos Llorente reported severe discomfort after a match in Pasadena.
Previously, drinks breaks at major tournaments have been imposed either at a referee’s discretion or when a specific temperature threshold was reached. FIFA said the 2026 policy aims to provide consistent conditions across all matches, applying a mandated pause regardless of local weather or venue, including sites with closed roofs or cooler climates such as Seattle.
The blanket approach has drawn criticism from some quarters. Opponents argue it alters the traditional two-half format into a de facto four-quarter structure more commonly associated with American sports. Criticism intensified after FIFA confirmed broadcasters would be allowed to show advertising during the hydration pauses, prompting suggestions that commercial considerations are also at play.
FIFA has defended the universal application of the breaks as a matter of uniformity and player welfare, citing lessons from recent tournaments including the Club World Cup. Broadcaster DAZN previously used split-screen adverts during drinks breaks at last summer’s event, and the introduction of mandatory pauses at the World Cup has revived debate about the balance between player safety, competition format and commercial opportunities.
