The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has announced that mandatory three-minute water breaks will be enforced in the middle of each half during the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This decision by FIFA, which prioritizes player health, has sparked debates about the matches effectively being played in four quarters and the potential negative impact this could have on the game.
Active and retired footballers who have reacted to this situation are prioritizing player health. Last summer, the strain on players during the Club World Cup, held in the United States during daytime hours, sparked significant backlash from many football enthusiasts. FIFA has made a radical move for the World Cup to be played this summer. According to a report by Mirror, there will be mandatory three-minute water breaks in the middle of the 45-minute halves for the sake of player health. These water breaks, which are already implemented during the hotter months, will now be obligatory regardless of the season.
However, there are those who argue that this decision will strip football of its traditional structure. Speculations are being made that the game, which will stop every 22 minutes, will become like basketball, divided into four quarters. The global footballers' union, FIFPRO, contends that three-minute breaks are insufficient, while others believe this is a move to insert commercials into the middle of the match. According to Australian politician Peter Crisp, the increasingly warming summer weather will necessitate a reevaluation of the traditional tournament concept, emphasizing that the aim is not player health, but profit.