Before, “cooling breaks” were only applied when the temperature exceeded 32°C. However, since the Club World Cup, they have been implemented almost as a rule in every match, a measure that has reportedly paid off commercially, so this practice would now be extended to the 2026 World Cup.Mandatory hydration breaks in each half of the game have been confirmed by FIFA, who say it is a measure to protect players from the heat. While in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey during the summer temperatures are high, thousands of fans believe that behind this apparent concern for the hydration of footballers, there is a commercial interest.
Why will there be hydration breaks at the 2026 World Cup?
The measure did not come out of nowhere. In the last tournaments organized by FIFA, especially the Club World Cup held between June and July, players and coaches denounced extreme heat conditions. Enzo Fernandez even admitted that he felt “dizzy” playing in “very dangerous heat”. Even Thomas Tuchel mentioned that he might leave his substitutes in the dressing room just to avoid exposure to the weather.
In response to this criticism, FIFA announced that all matches at the 2026 World Cup will have a mandatory three-minute break in each half, starting after the 22nd minute.
There will be a hydration break in every World Cup match, regardless of the weather
Before the hydration break was reserved only for matches in extreme heat, but now it will be a rule in all World Cup matches, regardless of the weather. This was confirmed by FIFA’s director of tournaments, Manolo Zubiria:
“In every game, no matter where it is played, whether there is a roof or the temperature, there will be a three-minute hydration break. It will be three minutes of final whistle in both halves.”
This measure aroused the suspicions of thousands of fans who see hydration breaks as just another excuse to sell advertising space within matches.
Fan speculation does not come out of nowhere, as the 2026 World Cup is already accompanied by several controversial decisions:
- Expansion of the tournament to 48 teams and 104 matches.
- Venues spread across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
- Dynamic pricing, with tickets ranging from $60 in the group stage to more than $6,700 in the final.
Recent examples, such as the Club World Cup, showed that prices can drop dramatically to fill stadiums, which for some reinforces the idea of an increasingly commercial model.
While some players acknowledge that they only take small sips during a match, many fans wonder whether these breaks really improve safety or just add unnecessary interruptions that could affect the sporting spectacle.
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