© Hannah Foslien-Imagn Images
On Monday morning, FIFA announced plans to have a three-minute “hydration break” during each have of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The soccer governing body claims that the rule is meant to “prioritise player welfare,” given the expectations of high temperatures at next summer’s tournament, which includes cities such as Dallas, Miami, Mexico City and more.
However, FIFA also announced that the three-minute breaks will take place in every game — regardless of weather conditions. Each game will be paused at the 22-minute mark of each half, effectively turning the match into a four-quarter affair.
Unsurprisingly, fans reacted negatively to the new rule.
Soccer Fans Call Out New ‘Hydration Breaks’ At FIFA World Cup
This isn’t the first time that FIFA has used the rule.
They called the new breaks “a streamlined and simplified version of the breaks used at some previous tournaments, including the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.”
However, those breaks were only used in games that were played in extreme heat.
“The other day I got a bit dizzy during a play. I had to lie down on the ground because I was really dizzy,” Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez said of the temperatures.
However, the fact that FIFA plans to implement the new breaks during all games regardless of temperatures led fans to believe it was just an excuse to allow television rights holders to air more commercials during their broadcasts.
A disastrous move – football needs constant rhythm to be at its best. Hope the adverts are good! https://t.co/r7LSSHSNi9
— Michael Cox (@Zonal_Marking) December 8, 2025
“The 2026 World Cup in the US, Mexico, and Canada will have three-minute breaks in the middle of each half for the first time. FIFA says it’s about player safety, but broadcasters will also be able to air more mid-game commercials,” @MorePerfectUS posted on X.
“Purely for adverts,” said @Tetley1988. “Can’t wait to be 2 down against Haiti at half 2 in the morning and I’m watching Peter Crouch sell me washing powder.”
There are, of course, some legitimate concerns about extreme temperatures. But FIFA also held the World Cup in Brazil in 2014 with no issue. Now, it appears it’s leveraging those concerns to make even more money on next year’s tournament.