In a historic move to protect player welfare, FIFA has confirmed that every match at the 2026 World Cup will feature compulsory three-minute hydration breaks at the 22-minute mark of each half — regardless of temperature or weather conditions.
The announcement, first highlighted by FOX Soccer on X (formerly Twitter), marks a significant shift from previous protocols and ensures consistent cooling opportunities for players across all 104 games in the expanded 48-team tournament hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Why the Change? From Conditional to Universal Breaks
Until now, cooling breaks were only implemented when the wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) exceeded 32°C (89.6°F). Extreme heat during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States exposed the limitations of this threshold-based system, with several players suffering from heat-related issues despite “acceptable” readings.
After consultations with the FIFA Football Medical Advisory Board, player unions (including FIFPro), and team doctors, world football’s governing body decided to make hydration breaks mandatory in every single match of the 2026 tournament.
What Will the New Hydration Breaks Look Like?
- Duration: Exactly 3 minutes
- Timing: 22nd minute of the first half + 22nd minute of the second half (67th minute overall)
- Applies to: All 104 matches, including group stage, knockout rounds, third-place play-off, and the final
- No discretion: Referees must stop play regardless of scoreline, weather, or stadium conditions
- Players can access drinks, cooling towels, and medical staff on the pitch
Reactions Pour In From Players, Coaches, and Fans
The decision has been widely praised by players and medical experts:
“Heat stress doesn’t only happen above 32°C. Humidity, travel fatigue, and consecutive matches all play a role. This is a huge step forward for player health.”
— FIFPro statement
Coaches have also welcomed the clarity, with one Premier League manager noting: “Knowing exactly when the break comes removes tactical uncertainty and lets us plan substitutions and instructions accordingly.”
Some fans on X expressed mixed feelings about potential interruptions in flow, but the overwhelming sentiment supports prioritizing safety in an era of increasingly demanding schedules.
How the 2026 World Cup Hydration Rule Compares to Other Tournaments
Tournament Hydration/Cooling Breaks Policy Mandatory? 2026 FIFA World Cup 3-minute breaks at 22′ and 67′ in every match Yes UEFA Euro 2024 Only when WBGT > 32°C No 2022 Qatar World Cup Implemented in most matches due to heat Case-by-case Premier League 2024–25 Optional at referee’s discretion No 2025 Club World Cup Triggered multiple times, highlighted need for reform Conditional
Looking Ahead: A Precedent for Global Football?
Medical experts believe the 2026 rule could become the new global standard, especially as climate change pushes summer temperatures higher in many football-playing regions.
With the tournament kicking off on June 11, 2026, players, coaches, and fans now have one less variable to worry about — hydration and heat management will be handled proactively and uniformly across the biggest stage in world football.
Stay tuned for more 2026 World Cup updates, rule changes, and team news as the countdown to USA–Canada–Mexico 2026 continues!