FIFA Confirms Mandatory Three-Minute Hydration Breaks in Each Half of 2026 World Cup

• FIFA has approved two compulsory hydration breaks per match at the 2026 World Cup, lasting three minutes each and taken midway through both halves.

FIFA has confirmed that the 2026 World Cup will introduce mandatory hydration breaks, with two set pauses taking place in every match. The breaks will be taken at the midpoint of each half and will last for three minutes.

The announcement, made on Sunday, followed discussions with national team coaches and broadcasters during the World Cup draw events in Washington, D.C. The decision received unanimous support, including from FIFA’s medical department, as part of efforts to prioritise player welfare.

Although the match clock will continue running during the breaks, referees will add three minutes at the end of each half as stoppage time.

FIFA clarified that the hydration pauses will occur regardless of weather conditions.

“There will be no weather or temperature condition in place, with the breaks being called by the referee in all games, to ensure equal conditions for all teams,” the organisation stated.

Manolo Zubiria, FIFA’s chief tournament officer, explained that each break will be “three minutes from whistle to whistle,” and that any injuries around the break period will be handled on the spot with the referee.

The move follows intense criticism after this year’s Club World Cup in the United States, where midday kick-offs led to players and coaches struggling under high temperatures. PSG manager Luis Enrique described the heat as a major influence on matches, saying it was “impossible to perform at a very high level for 90 minutes.”

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Chelsea midfielder Enzo Maresca also highlighted the issue, revealing he felt dizzy due to the conditions:

“Playing in this temperature is very dangerous… the speed of the game is not the same, everything becomes very slow.”

With the 2026 World Cup being staged across the U.S., Mexico and Canada, FIFA believes the new measure will help maintain player health and match quality throughout the tournament.