The 2026 Football World Cup will be hosted by three countries—America, Mexico, and Canada. The group stage schedule has been finalized. Football lovers are eagerly awaiting thrilling matches. Meanwhile, FIFA has made one rule mandatory for the World Cup. Previously, whether cooling breaks would be taken depended on weather conditions, match venues, or stadium technology. This time, FIFA has made these breaks mandatory. Hydration breaks will be taken in both halves during the 2026 Football World Cup. This will be seen in every match. What exactly has been announced by FIFA?
In every match, hydration breaks will be taken at the 22-minute mark in each half. Three minutes have been allocated for each break. This decision has been made not only for players to drink water but also to ensure they don't get exhausted during matches. Previously, these breaks were given only during excessive heat or when playing in open fields.
This time, hydration breaks will be taken even in covered stadiums or those using advanced air conditioning technology. As a result, each half will be approximately 48 minutes long, excluding injury time, which will extend the entire match duration by an additional 6-7 minutes.
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However, match officials will not have a special role regarding this rule. If the game is ever suspended for a few moments due to injury or other reasons before the 22-minute mark, the hydration break can be combined with that stoppage. FIFA's Chief Tournament Officer Manolo Zubiria has stated this.
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Previously, cooling breaks could only be taken when temperatures exceeded 32 degrees Celsius. Now that the rule has also changed. Recently, footballers faced problems due to excessive humidity during the Club World Cup in the USA. Therefore, FIFA has taken this precautionary measure before the World Cup.
