Every World Cup game has been interrupted due to new scheduled "hydration breaks", a move from FIFA which has been met with a chorus of boos. What’s behind the interruptions, and why are they so controversial?

FIFA’s compulsory hydration breaks meant to protect players at the ongoing World Cup have become an unexpected talking points

The mandatory breaks have proven increasingly unpopular as the tournament has progressed.

FIFA will consider keeping hydration breaks for future World Cups despite backlash to the extra stoppages in play at this year’s tournament.

Hydration breaks have been loudly booed by fans at the World Cup

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or…

FIFA president Gianni Infantino defended the controversial hydration breaks at the 2026 World Cup and said the governing body may keep them for future tournaments.

The breaks, which take place in the 22nd and 67th minutes of every game, are a new addition for the 2026 tournament.

World Cup hydration breaks have proven controversial and received backlash an FIFA chief Gianni Infantino has spoken out concerning their future in the sport

June 24 : FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended the introduction of hydration breaks at the World Cup, insisting that for football's governing body they are driven purely…

The host country opened two 180-second windows for fans to fuel up, and they’ve barreled right through them. | Football News

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended the new three-minute hydration breaks at the World Cup 2026, emphasizing their purely sporting purpose to combat extreme heat and…

Fans continue to boo the mandatory three-minute breaks in each half of action.

L'hydration break è la novità più discussa e controversa dei Mondiali: chi ci guadagna e cosa ne pensano i protagonisti

The FIFA president defended their introduction this week but his arguments are extraordinary, says Seb Stafford-Bloor

Every World Cup game has been interrupted due to new scheduled "hydration breaks", a move from FIFA which has been met with a chorus of boos. What’s behind the interruptions, and…

Ogni partita dei Mondiali è stata interrotta per le nuove pause programmate per l’idratazione, una decisione della FIFA accolta dai fischi. Cosa c’è dietro queste interruzioni e…