It has been stated by FIFA that they will provide three-minute hydration breaks for each half of every match at the World Cup, and not only for those games played under hot weather conditions. The game will be interrupted by the referee for a drink break at the 22nd minute of each half, no matter the temperature, the country hosting the match, which could be the US, Canada, or Mexico, or if the stadium is equipped with a roof and air conditioning or not.
Broadcasters welcome FIFA’s updated stoppage-time approach
Broadcasting companies are likely to appreciate the change since it brings more predictability to the schedule of the game. FIFA stated that it was first revealed while the client’s manager for the FIFA World Cup 2026, Manolo Zubiria, was in a meeting with the TV channels. He implied that the ref might show some tolerance in case of a break right before the 22-minute mark due to a player getting injured.
FIFA revises cooling break system
“This will be addressed on the spot with the referee,” Zubiria mentioned that FIFA described the decision as a “streamlined and simplified version” of the earlier practice of giving breaks after 30 minutes whenever the temperature exceeded a certain threshold, which was previously 32 degrees Celsius (89.6 degrees Fahrenheit) on the wet bulb global temperature system. The alteration is a result of heat and humidity, which players faced as a problem during some matches at the current Club World Cup that took place in the U.S.
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Updated measures introduced to combat extreme temperatures
FIFA’s response to that situation was to reduce the threshold for cooling or water breaks and, in addition, to provide more water and towels at the field’s perimeter. The high temperature has been a problem for professional soccer tournaments for a long time. When the situation regarding the heat for the 2014 World Cup came up, a Brazilian court imposed a fine, or FIFA could make its suggested breaks compulsory.
