Criticism over mandatory hydration breaks at the 2026 World Cup

The 2026 World Cup, hosted in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, features mandatory three-minute hydration breaks in every half. FIFA justifies these breaks as a health measure to protect players from high summer temperatures, though the policy applies regardless of actual weather conditions. Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and US national team coach Mauricio Pochettino have publicly criticized these interruptions. Klopp described the breaks as commercial tools designed for advertisers rather than player welfare. Reports indicate that these breaks were utilized by broadcasters, such as Fox Sports, to air advertisements for companies like Powerade, AT&T, and FanDuel. In one instance during the Mexico versus South Africa match, a break occurred despite a moderate temperature of 23°C. FIFA maintains that these procedures are essential for player safety, while critics argue they disrupt the rhythm of the game for financial gain.