Three-minute hydration breaks midway through each half of games
\nBreaks will be imposed in all matches, regardless of weather conditions
\nNew approach part of FIFA\u2019s commitment to player welfare at the tournament<\/p>\n
Players at the FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 will benefit from three-minute hydration breaks in each half of games as FIFA prioritises player welfare throughout next summer\u2019s tournament co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.<\/p>\n
In a streamlined and simplified version of the breaks used at some previous tournaments, including the FIFA Club World Cup 2025\u2122, the referee will stop the game 22 minutes into each half to allow players to rehydrate. There will be no weather or temperature condition in place, with the breaks being called by the referee in all games, to ensure equal conditions for all teams, in all matches.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor every game, no matter where the games are played, no matter if there\u2019s a roof, (or) temperature-wise, there will be a three-minute hydration break. It will be three minutes from whistle to whistle in both halves,\u201d said Manolo Zubiria, Chief Tournament Officer, USA, for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in announcing the initiative at the World Broadcaster Meeting which was held in Washington DC.<\/p>\n
if there\u2019s an injury (stoppage) at the moment of the 20th or 21st minute and it\u2019s ongoing, this will be addressed on the spot with the referee,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
The use of hydration breaks is part of a focused attempt to ensure the best possible conditions for players, drawing upon the experiences of previous tournaments, including the recent FIFA Club World Cup, which took place in the United States last summer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Three-minute hydration breaks midway through each half of games Breaks will be imposed in all matches, regardless of weather conditions New approach part of FIFA\u2019s commitment to player welfare at the tournament Players at the FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 will benefit from three-minute hydration breaks in each half of games as FIFA prioritises player welfare<\/p>\n