FIFA has announced that every match of the 2026 World Cup will include a three-minute "hydration break" in each half. This new rule aims to prioritize player welfare due to anticipated high temperatures during the expanded tournament hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The breaks will occur at the 22-minute mark of each half, regardless of the actual weather conditions, effectively dividing games into four quarters. This decision follows consultations with coaches and broadcasters and is described by FIFA as a simplified version of breaks used in some past tournaments, such as the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, where breaks were only implemented in extreme heat.
Players at the 2025 Club World Cup reported experiencing extreme heat, with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius), leading to concerns about health and safety, with one player reporting dizziness. The full schedule for the 2026 World Cup was confirmed on Saturday.