“Hydration” breaks for players in the 2026 World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup in America, Mexico and Canada will witness hydration breaks in the halves of each match of the tournament.

The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) stated that it always gives priority to the health and safety of players, indicating that it will follow the same approach that it followed in the Club World Cup in the United States of America last summer.

He added that under this rule, all matches will be stopped in the 22nd minute of each half to give the players an opportunity to hydrate their bodies regardless of the weather and temperature, in order to provide the same conditions for all teams in all matches of the tournament.

For his part, Manolo Zuberia, Director of the Championship Department at FIFA, said: “There will be a three-minute hydration break in every match, regardless of the city hosting it and whether the stadium is equipped with a roof or not, and regardless of the temperature.”

He added in statements published on the FIFA website: “Of course, if there is an injury to one of the players (and play is stopped) in the 20th or 21st minute, this case will be dealt with on the field at the discretion of the referee.”

The World Cup will be held in America, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.