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.

There have been a number of breaks throughout the World Cup for players to rest and hydrate

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

Le nuove pause idratazione della FIFA scatenano la polemica. Tra spot milionari e il caso Fox, Klopp attacca: "Il calcio è ostaggio degli sponsor"

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.

Non si chiama più "cooling break", bensì "hydration break". Ma la sostanza non cambia. La pausa è pensata per dare respiro ai calcia...

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

What was introduced as a player welfare measure has evolved into mini tactical timeouts, with managers like Carlo Ancelotti and Mauricio Pochettino divided over World Cup…

FIFA's new introduction of hydration breaks at the World Cup has sparked plenty of debate among supporters, and Gary Lineker has now shared his views.

Virgil van Dijk does not like them, fans have started booing them and the many critics say they are ruining the World Cup.

MIAMI, June 15 : FIFA's mandatory three-minute hydration breaks in World Cup matches are proving as controversial as they are cooling, with players split over interruptions that…

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.

FIFA’s newly introduced hydration break system for the 2026 World Cup is increasingly coming under fire, as criticism mounts that the breaks have e...

FIFA introduced hydration breaks for the 2026 World Cup, drawing criticism from players and fans as some broadcasters cut to commercials.