Overview
- FIFA announced in December 2025 that every match at the 2026 World Cup would have a three-minute hydration break midway through each half as a player‑welfare measure.
- The breaks carry visible Powerade branding and FIFA told rights‑holders they may show adverts during the pauses while requiring broadcasters to resume live coverage 30 seconds before play restarts.
- Broadcasters have split on the practice with some networks running full commercials and others, including the BBC and ITV, refusing to cut away, and Fox acknowledged an overrun of the permitted return time and apologised.
- Managers and players including Jurgen Klopp, Mauricio Pochettino and Virgil van Dijk have publicly criticised the rule as unnecessary in climate‑controlled venues and argued the stoppages give coaches regular tactical timeouts that can shift momentum, as seen in recent Germany and Brazil matches.
- Critics warn the mandatory, monetised breaks risk normalising a four‑quarter style of play and altering football’s continuous flow, a change that fans, pundits and some former players say could outlast this tournament.