Football fans are forced to endure much to keep their love of the beautiful game alive, but FIFA's cynical new "hydration breaks" are stretching the friendship like never before.

Comment: The decision to mandate three-minute hydration breaks during every half of football at the 2026 World Cup smacks of yet more greed, writes Lawrence Ostlere

FIFA have opted to have hydration breaks in every World Cup game, irrespective of the temperature - and that looks to be perfect for the American advert culture

FIFA mandated three-minute hydration breaks at the 2026 World Cup, giving broadcasters commercial windows. Fox already missed live play returning from ads.

The 2026 World Cup's new mandatory three-minute hydration breaks are fundamentally reshaping soccer, driven by commercial interests rather than solely player welfare.

Football fans are forced to endure much to keep their love of the beautiful game alive, but FIFA's cynical new "hydration breaks" are stretching the friendship like never before.

The new rules have attracted criticism from players and fans alike.

Analysis: Fifa says they're to protect players from heat. Their real purpose, it seems, is to break up the game - providing broadcasters the chance to sell more ads.