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FIFA Enforces 22-Minute Hydration Breaks, Coaches Decry Ad-Driven Pauses

6/15/2026

Summary

FIFA Mandates Breaks

FIFA mandated hydration breaks 22 minutes into each half of World Cup matches in the United States, Canada and Mexico, regardless of temperature or roof, per Manolo Zubiria.
Captain Virgil van Dijk said he dislikes the breaks as bad for viewers.
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti used a pause, after which Brazil equalised.
Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp criticised the pauses as serving advertisers, noting Fox overran its ad break, sparking complaints.

Summary

Fans Decry Breaks

High ticket prices left seats empty at opening matches, sparking fan anger.
Fans claim mandatory hydration breaks turn games into four-quarter formats, ruining viewing.
ITV and the BBC refused to air commercials during the three-minute breaks, unlike Fox Sports.
Ian Wright alleged FIFA-Fox collusion to use hydration breaks for extra advertising, after a disputed on-side decision in the Switzerland-Qatar game was blamed on a technical issue, heightening VAR criticism.

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FIFA Mandates Breaks

FIFA mandated hydration breaks 22 minutes into each half of World Cup matches in the United States, Canada and Mexico, regardless of temperature or roof, per Manolo Zubiria.
Captain Virgil van Dijk said he dislikes the breaks as bad for viewers.
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti used a pause, after which Brazil equalised.
Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp criticised the pauses as serving advertisers, noting Fox overran its ad break, sparking complaints.

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