Hydration breaks at World Cup 2026: Why are they mandatory? Virgil van Dijk, Mauricio Pochettino and Kylian Mbappe question new measure

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FIFA announced in December that every match at this summer's World Cup would be subject to "hydration breaks".

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World football's governing body said every match at the tournament, no matter the weather conditions, will have hydration breaks in each half.

It is one of a number of rule changes actioned at this summer's World Cup, taking place in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Hydration breaks have been observed at major tournaments and domestically for some time, but they are typically enacted under the discretion of the referee, or if the temperature surpasses a certain threshold.

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FIFA said by introducing mandatory hydration breaks, it is ensuring "equal conditions for all teams, in all matches," while also prioritising player welfare.

Why have FIFA enforced drinks breaks? When do they take place?

The intense heat during last year's FIFA Club World Cup - which also took place in the United States - provoked critical reactions from some players.

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez described playing in the heat as "very dangerous" and said he felt "dizzy" while on the pitch.

FIFA said that by introducing mandatory drinks breaks, it is providing a "streamlined and simplified version" of the similar breaks which had been observed at other major tournaments.

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This summer, referees will pause matches 22 minutes into each half, in order to commence the break.

FIFA said it drew on previous tournaments to introduce a drinks break system which served as a "focused attempt to ensure the best possible conditions for players".

Manolo Zubiria, chief tournament officer for the World Cup, said: "If there’s an injury at the moment of the 20th or 21st minute and it’s ongoing, this will be addressed on the spot with the referee".

How long are the drinks breaks?

FIFA stated that hydration breaks at the World Cup will span three minutes "from whistle-to-whistle".

While the weather forecast on some days is projected to be cooler, and some stadiums have air-conditioned facilities with closed roofs, Zubiria said "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".

What have players/managers said about hydration breaks?

Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk has been critical of the mandated hydration breaks, and said they should be sanctioned on a case-by-case basis.

He said: "Hydration breaks are a bit interesting, because I was obviously watching almost all the games up until today, and every time going to commercial is a bit... not really that I like it.

"I think for the neutral watchers on TV it's also not great. If it's really hot, obviously it would be good to put them in. But I think you have to look at it in every game, separately, in my opinion. But I think I've said enough already for that."

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Mauricio Pochettino, head coach of the United States, said: "I don't like it. I only like it when the conditions are extreme. But when the conditions are good, it is unnecessary."

Former Chelsea boss and now head coach of the US women's national team, Emma Hayes, explained on ITV how the hydration breaks are influencing the momentum in matches.

"It's advantageous for the team losing momentum - that's why I call them momentum breaks," she said. "When you're on top, you don't want it; when you're losing, you do.

"Sometimes it's not even coaching [during the hydration break]. It's about taking on fluid and calming players. Sometimes it can be doing nothing, but that can be considered coaching as well.

"It's a shame. I can understand it in really warm parts of the country, but it seems like it could be something that could be here for good."

Uruguay boss Marcelo Bielsa added his opinion, saying: "Playing four times instead of two alters the conception of what had been culturally built to interpret football.

"This change of culture does ⁠not add anything and takes away a lot. I will just say that before this decision, football had a characteristic, now it has another."

France striker Kylian Mbappe admitted players are likely to only be concerned about the breaks based on how the game is going, saying: "Sometimes if I think my team is dominating it can break our rhythm, sometimes if it is hot I'm happy.

"Don't ask the opinion of the players. We are like weather vanes. Some will say it's not good, some will say it's good.

"If tomorrow we are being dominated in the 25th minute I will be happy if there's a break, [but] if we are dominating in the 25th minute I will be frustrated if there's a break."

Are coaches allowed to give instructions during drinks breaks?

Yes, and we have already seen it happen at this World Cup.

Throughout the opening week of action at the tournament, teams have recuperated and taken on tactical instructions during the hydration breaks.

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Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti said the breaks can be a "very good" chance to rectify any tactical shortcomings.

"You can explain a problem to the players," the legendary Italian coach said. "[You can] make a tactical adjustment that can be very good."

International Football Association Board (IFAB) rules state the use of electronic devices is permitted "where it directly relates to player welfare or safety or for tactical/coaching reasons," stipulating only that the device must be small.

So, managers can even go as far as showing their teams video footage to supplement their tactical instructions.

The main restriction placed upon players during these breaks is that they must stay within the bounds of the pitch.

What other measures were taken for player welfare?

This summer's World Cup will be hosted in 16 cities, across three different countries.

And FIFA said it had designed the tournament's match schedule in order to "to minimise travel for teams and fans, maximise rest days between matches for all participating nations, and enable the widest possible global audience to follow their teams across different time zones".

The World Cup will continue through until July 19, when the final will be played in New Jersey.

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