World Cup hydration breaks: Why do they exist? How will it impact the game? What about adverts?

World Cup hydration breaks: Why do they exist? How will it impact the game? What about adverts?

FIFA mandated three-minute hydration breaks at the 22-minute mark of each half at the 2026 World Cup to ensure equal conditions regardless of weather or stadium conditions. The stoppages convert matches into a four-quarter format, allowing teams to reset momentum and broadcasters to monetize breaks through commercials, fundamentally altering match dynamics and tactical flow.