“Pickle juice” grabs attention in the 2026 World Cup

“Pickle juice” caught the attention in the 2026 World Cup, after it appeared in an unusual scene during the match between the United States and Australia, when German referee Felix Zweier suffered muscle spasms in the final minutes of the match.

The match was temporarily stopped after Tsfayer collapsed due to convulsions, before a number of people on the field intervened to help him, while the referee was given a drink that aroused the curiosity of the observers, before he regained his ability to complete the match.

According to media reports, the drink was “pickle juice” or “pickle water,” which is the salty and sour liquid found in pickle packages, which some athletes use to quickly deal with muscle spasms during competitions.

According to medical explanations, the effect of pickle water is not based on replacing fluids or salts immediately, as this does not happen within seconds. Rather, it is believed that the strong sour taste stimulates nerve receptors in the mouth and throat, which sends signals that help calm involuntary muscle contraction.

Studies indicate that pickle water may relieve muscle spasms more quickly than water, but experts stress that it does not replace proper hydration or proper nutrition, and should not be treated as a permanent medical alternative.

The shot turned a simple drink into one of the strangest conversations about the 2026 World Cup, after “pickle water” moved from kitchen containers to the forefront of global sports discussion.