FIFA Explains World Cup Hydration Breaks

Hydration breaks, mandatory three-minute stoppages at the midpoint of each half, were introduced at the 2026 World Cup to ensure every team faces identical conditions throughout the tournament. Unlike the FIFA Club World Cup where breaks were only implemented in hot weather, all World Cup matches now include these pauses regardless of temperature.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized that the breaks help conserve player energy, especially in the final 20 minutes of matches when intensity peaks. While acknowledging potential concerns about game flow, Infantino noted that FIFA will evaluate the effectiveness of hydration breaks after the tournament to determine if they should become a permanent feature. tr-sport.click