FIFA announced in December that all 104 World Cup matches will pause for three-minute hydration breaks – but pundits and supporters have made their feelings known about them
The hydration break was scrapped in the second-half of France’s World Cup clash against Iraq. The expected high temperatures in North America prompted FIFA to announce last December it would introduce the three-minute breaks midway through each half at all 104 matches of this summer’s World Cup.
But the breaks have been somewhat controversial, as not only have they enabled commercial broadcasters to show advertisements during them, but they have also resulted in managers giving tactical instructions to their players and they have disrupted the flow of games.
However, the break in the second-half of France’s game against Iraq was scrapped after the start of the second-half was delayed by over two hours due to adverse weather conditions. A FIFA spokesperson simply confirmed: “No hydration break in the second half.”
Not only did heavy rain fall towards the end of the first-half at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, but lightning activity was also approaching the stadium. Supporters were told by officials to ‘exit the open seating areas’ of the ground during the interval.
FIFA initially confirmed the start of the second-half would be delayed by at least 15 minutes as player and fan safety was prioritised. But it was over two hours before the game got back underway, with France leading 1-0 at the break thanks to Kylian Mbappe’s goal after just 14 minutes.
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football’s Facebook page
Plenty of pundits have voiced their disapproval of the introduction of hydration breaks, while booing from the crowd when drinks breaks begin has become a growing trend. Virgil van Dijk also criticised them after the Netherlands’ 2-2 draw with Japan was broken down into four quarters at the air-conditioned AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Asked about them, the centre-back laughed, before saying: “Hydration breaks are a bit interesting, because I was obviously watching almost all the games up until today, and every time going to commercial is a bit … Not really that I like it.
“I think for the neutral watchers on TV it’s also not great. If it’s really hot, obviously it would be good to put them in. But I think you have to look at it in every game, separately, in my opinion. But I think I’ve said enough already for that.”
But France boss Didier Deschamps revealed he is a fan of them ahead of his team’s opener against Senegal. He said: “These hydration breaks for three minutes, you can get the players close to you and this gives you an opportunity to adjust a couple of things as regards the 22-23 mins of game that just took place.
“With the high temperatures, it’s important to be able to give this extra opportunity, two opportunities to the head coach. It’s a good thing — this is a fact, but it leads us to split the game and if you’re in a strong position, following this break you have to start playing again. But we adapt to this, even in our prep work we’ve anticipated this.
“It’s not two half times its four quarter times, this is what we’ve got, what’s been decided, so the players and the coaches adapt to this new reality, but you get to speak an extra two times.”
Get the latest World Cup news straight to your inbox by signing up to our Make Football Great Again newsletter now!
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Upgrade your World Cup TV setup with the Sky Glass ‘designed for football’
from £4.50
Sky
Get the deal here
Sky is knocking 20% off its entire range of Glass TVs to mark the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Until June 17, shoppers can upgrade to the Sky smart TV that’s ‘designed for football’ from £4.50 per month when taken alongside a Sky TV and Netflix package.