FIFA has announced that every match in the 2026 World Cup will include three-minute “hydration breaks” in each half. This initiative is aimed at prioritizing player safety given the anticipated high temperatures during the tournament set to take place next summer across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Each game will be paused at the 22-minute mark, resulting in a format that essentially divides the match into four quarters, regardless of the weather conditions.
The decision followed discussions with coaches and broadcasters. FIFA described it as “a streamlined and simplified version of the breaks used in some past tournaments, including the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.” While hydration breaks were implemented during the Club World Cup last summer, they were only used in matches affected by extreme heat.
During the previous tournament, some matches experienced temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius).
“I don’t think I’ve ever played in such heat,” Benfica forward Andreas Schjelderup remarked after a game against Bayern Munich. “I don’t think it’s healthy, to be honest, but I managed to get through it.”
– Tuchel, Clarke critique ‘long’ 2026 World Cup draw ceremony
– Essential information about the 16 World Cup venues
– 2026 World Cup schedule: FIFA announces match times and locations
Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández also shared his experience later during the tournament, stating, “The other day I felt a bit dizzy during a play. I had to lie down on the ground because I was really dizzy. Playing in this temperature is very dangerous, it’s truly perilous.”
The complete schedule for the World Cup was confirmed on Saturday.