June 16, 2026
FIFA's installation of mandatory hydration breaks at every World Cup match hasn't been as controversy-free as the organisation might have hoped. On Monday, Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk offered his honest assessment, and it was less than positive.
"Hydration breaks are interesting," van Dijk said. "Every time going to commercial is a bit ... not really that I like it. I think for the neutral watchers on TV it's also not great."
The practice of mandating water stops for games being played indoors, where temperatures are regulated, has drawn some criticism elsewhere, as has the breaks' usefulness for running advertisements during broadcasts.
van Dijk, a Liverpool defender, was no doubt still stinging from his team's 2-2 draw against Japan on Sunday, when his side twice took leads in the second half but conceded a tying goal each time.
