The rule has drawn criticism from some of football's most prominent figures, who argue that it changes the dynamics of matches.

Hydration breaks in the 2026 World Cup are influencing match outcomes, with many goals scored shortly after these pauses.

Enforced stoppages at the World Cup for players to drink have upside and downside.

Criticism surrounding the breaks has been aimed at the commercial benefits for the three-minute pauses in action.

The hydration breaks introduced for this year’s World Cup break games down into four quarters, with an extra three-minute stoppage in each half

FIFA have faced backlash for enforcing a three-minute hydration break in each half of every match at the 2026 World Cup, and there've been concerns that UEFA could do the same for…

The rule has drawn criticism from some of football's most prominent figures, who argue that it changes the dynamics of matches.