Fox
The 2026 World Cup has been a smashing success so far by all accounts. One aspect, however, has been sticking in the craw of soccer fans: the hydration breaks.
Not only have the hydration breaks been made mandatory at the 2026 World Cup regardless of the weather, but Fox have been using them to pump more commercials into the broadcast, effectively turning the game into a four-quarter sport instead of the traditional two halves.
Alexi Lalas seems to be the only person who doesn’t have a problem with the World Cup’s hydration breaks and subsequent commercials
While the hydration breaks have been lamented by both fans and analysts alike, one predictable voice has argued in favor of them: Alexi Lalas. Lalas has posted numerous tweets on social media defending the intrusive breaks.
None of this should be surprising, however, as Lalas has made a career out of taking the contrarian angle.
“I have no problem with hydration breaks. It benefits players and advertisers. Win/win. Yes, it changes how you play/coach/watch, but so did substitutions, 3 pts for win, VAR, etc. Evolve and adapt. There will be a generation whose version of the beautiful game includes quarters,” Lalas posted on social media.
Actually, the fans have the ultimate power. Fans are the customer. If they don’t like the product they won’t buy it and the business will fail. https://t.co/EcoOabPqwP
— Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) June 16, 2026
But…but…but…hydration break commercials!!! https://t.co/5hSDGwlwsE
— Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) June 17, 2026
Lalas tried to deflect blame for the hydration breaks by saying that it’s simply jealousy of America. This is inaccurate as Telemundo, the Spanish broadcasters of the World Cup, have not been running commercials during the breaks and have even mocked Fox for doing so.
Because when America is involved, we are often used as a convenient scapegoat and target for blame. Comes with the territory. It’s a coping mechanism used to deal with insecurity and jealousy. 🇺🇸 https://t.co/OEsuXr5y96
— Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) June 17, 2026
Good example of the ‘if someone has a different opinion, I must attack them as disingenuous in an effort to make me appear righteous’ style of sanctimonious posting that’s just everywhere now. https://t.co/sPY0OIcuOq
— Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) June 16, 2026
Beyond the advertising aspect, the hydration breaks are having a tangible sporting effect on the game, as well, as data shows it’s been routinely shifting the momentum in matches as it gives coaches an opportunity to address their team and tweak their tactics. Whether this is a good or bad thing is a matter of personal preference. What’s undeniable, though, is it’s not the way the game of soccer has worked for a very long time.
Despite the fact that we’re not even a week into the World Cup, Lalas’ personality already seems to be grating on his co-hosts Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.