FIFA announced that the 2026 World Cup matches will have three-minute breaks for hydration in the middle of each half, regardless of the weather conditions.
Referees will stop games at the 22nd minute of each half, added world football’s governing body in a statement.
A stated that the new rule will simplify and optimize the previous rules, which required hydration breaks at the 30th minute of each half when the temperature at the start of the match exceeded 31 degrees Celsius.
“In all matches, regardless of location, stadium coverage or temperature, there will be a three-minute hydration break,” said Manolo Zubiria, US tournament director.
“Obviously, if there is an injury in the 20th or 21st minute and it persists, the situation will be resolved immediately with the referee,” he added in a meeting with broadcasters in Washington.
Excessive Heat, held in the United States, with several matches starting in the afternoon amid high temperatures.
A report published in September by Football for the Future, Common Goal e Jupiter Intelligence found that 10 of the 16, which take place in the United States, Mexico and Canada, present a very high risk of extreme heat stress conditions.
“The use of hydration breaks is part of a concentrated effort to ensure the best possible conditions for players, based on experiences from previous tournaments, including the recent FIFA Club World Cup,” the organization added in a statement released on Sunday (7).
