Overview
- FIFA ordered in December 2025 that every 2026 World Cup match include two three‑minute hydration breaks timed at about the 22nd and 67th minutes, and the policy remained in place through July 1, 2026.
- Broadcasters have monetized the stoppages, with industry estimates putting 30‑second ad slots between roughly $200,000 and $750,000 and Fox projecting about $250 million in extra revenue from the breaks.
- Operational confusion surfaced during the Mexico–Ecuador knockout: FIFA first announced the breaks would be removed after a weather delay, then quickly reversed the decision, and referees still called the pause during play.
- Players, coaches and fans have criticized the fixed breaks for disrupting match flow and enabling tactical coaching timeouts, though some managers such as Thomas Tuchel have used the pauses to regroup during games.
- Several other bodies, including UEFA and the Swiss Football League, say they will not adopt blanket breaks and prefer condition‑triggered pauses, while FIFA says it will review the fixed‑time policy after the tournament.