Mauricio Pochettino gathered his US men’s national team players around a MacBook during a hydration break in their 3-2 friendly win over Senegal on May 31. An analyst displayed tactical footage while the Argentine coach pointed out adjustments in real time.
It looked like an NBA timeout. And that’s exactly the point.
FIFA’s new hydration break rules open the door
FIFA has implemented a new policy for the 2026 World Cup that permits coaches to use laptops or similar devices during mandatory hydration breaks. Each half will feature two of these breaks, each lasting three minutes, giving coaching staffs a window that previously didn’t exist in competitive soccer.
Pochettino took full advantage during the Senegal friendly, treating the pause like a film session. The coach described video feedback as “really important” for helping players understand tactical instructions that might otherwise get lost in the noise of a live match.
