'A disgrace' — six minutes of drinks breaks planned for FIFA World Cup games

Pundits have lambasted plans to hold three-minute hydration breaks in each half of the 104 games to be played at the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup.

FIFA say the process for the drinks breaks will be a “streamlined and simplified” version of those used at previous tournaments, including the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

“The referee will stop the game 22 minutes into each half to allow players to rehydrate,” FIFA said.

“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.”

Main photo: The All Whites and other participating teams will get two mandatory hydration breaks during their games.

Total A-Leagues show panellists Daniel McBreen and Tommy Oar have criticised the move, saying it will halt the flow of games.

“I think it’s a disgrace,” McBreen said.

“Let’s not beat around the bush. It’s not about a drink break. It’s about commercial income.”

The three-minute drink breaks will provide international broadcasters with the opportunity to insert commercials midway through each half of football.

“A lot of the American sports are very stop-start sports,” McBreen said.

Time-outs and team changes interrupt the flow of games.

“Momentum isn’t a key feature [in those sports] as much as in football. It is completely different in football.

“This is just all about finances; it’s got nothing to do with drinks breaks.”

Oar asked: “Where do you draw the line with this?

“I think it’s an absolute disgrace, and people who have no feeling or understanding for the game are the ones who make these decisions, unfortunately.

“At the moment, it’s just a little drinks break, and then next year it might be an extra minute, and all of a sudden the game’s not two halves, it’s four quarters.”

The 48-nation FIFA Men’s World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Manolo Zubiria, chief tournament officer, United States, for the FIFA World Cup, said: “For every game, no matter where the games are played, no matter if there’s 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,” he said.

“Obviously, if there’s an injury (stoppage) at the moment of the 20th or 21st minute and it’s ongoing, this will be addressed on the spot with the referee.”

FIFA say the use of hydration breaks is part of a focused effort to ensure the best possible conditions for players, drawing on the experiences of previous tournaments.

What the Total A-Leagues panel had to say

Fixtures

Game to be played on Tuesday June 16, 2026 (NZT)

Iran v New Zealand

SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, Los Angeles, 1pm (NZT)

Game to be played on Monday June 22, 2026 (NZT)

Egypt v New Zealand

BC Place, Vancouver, 1pm (NZT)

Game to be played on Saturday June 27, 2026 (NZT)

Belgium v New Zealand

BC Place, Vancouver, 3pm (NZT)

This story was first published on February 9, 2025.

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