FIFA has managed to unify football in an unprecedented way: a chorus of opposition against the mandatory water break rule for every match at the 2026 World Cup. The decision has become a hot topic throughout the six-week tournament, alongside a host of economic, political, and social issues.
Announced in December with a firm tone, FIFA argued that players would 'benefit from a three-minute cooling break in each half, prioritizing player health.' Yet after a week of play, it's clear players are far from enthusiastic about this compulsory change.
Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk led the criticism, saying, 'If it's genuinely hot, then having a break is good, but in my opinion, it should be assessed match by match.' Belgium midfielder Youri Tielemans agreed: 'In some cities that aren't too hot, maybe it shouldn't apply. But if you do it in some cities, you have to do it for all.'
On the weather front, very few matches actually needed a water break, according to meteorologist Everton Fox. 'New York, California, Miami, and Mexico's stadiums are hot enough, but there's no reason for breaks in air-conditioned venues like Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, or Vancouver. I know FIFA claims consistency, but it's hard to see this as anything other than a multi-million-dollar commercial project for U.S. TV channels,' Fox said.
The biggest criticism targets the commercial benefit from the three-minute pauses. According to BBC Sport, a 30-second advertising slot on Fox Sports costs between $200,000 and $300,000, potentially reaching $750,000 during U.S. matches and later stages. Just in the U.S., ads during water breaks could generate over $250 million.
Canada defender Alistair Johnston said bluntly: 'This might be making extra money for FIFA. The water break turns into a commercial break.' While some broadcasters kept the players on screen, others cut to ads, disrupting the viewing experience. U.S. fans were outraged when Fox cut to a full-screen ad, causing them to miss live action during the second half of the Mexico vs. South Africa opener.
From a sporting perspective, many believe the breaks disrupt match momentum. Curacao, a tournament debutant, was dreaming of a 1-1 draw with Germany in the 21st minute, but the referee signaled a water break immediately after, allowing Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann to regroup his side and win 7-1. Bosnia and Herzegovina also lost momentum after a water stop. Fans in stadiums and worldwide have booed each time a break occurs. On social media, AI-generated videos mock teams during breaks: English players sipping tea from floral cups, the U.S. team hosting a barbecue with sausages and beer, Japanese players eating sushi.
Yet not everyone is disappointed. Belgium coach Rudi Garcia said, 'This is more of a coaching break than a cooling one. For me, it's very important. It can disrupt if we're on a good run, but in two friendlies, it allowed me to convey tactical information to the team.' France coach Didier Deschamps also saw it as a chance to speak with players and 'adjust a few things' before play resumed. 'Essentially, we have four halves. Coaches must adapt to this new reality,' he added.
