A 3-minute strategy meeting? How the introduction of "hydration breaks" in the 2026 World Cup will change the perspectives of coaches, players, and fans.

A 3-minute strategy meeting? How the introduction of "hydration breaks" in the 2026 World Cup will change the perspectives of coaches, players, and fans.

2025年12月10日 00:16

A "Third Half" in the 2026 World Cup?

It has been announced that a "hydration break" will be officially introduced in all matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in North America. FIFA explained this "new rule" as a measure to protect players' health and performance during a meeting for broadcasters held in Washington, D.C.InfoMoney


With this decision, a mandatory hydration break of approximately 3 minutes will be implemented around the 22nd minute of each half, regardless of temperature or humidity. It will be conducted in a manner deemed most fair and effective by the refereeing team.InfoMoney


Similar hydration breaks were tested during the Club World Cup held in the United States in 2025, and due to positive feedback, it has been "upgraded" to the main tournament.InfoMoney


The "3-minute strategy meeting" at the 22nd minute—Details of the rule

The key points of this hydration break are summarized as follows:InfoMoney

  • Implemented in all matches: No exceptions from the group stage to the finals

  • Timing: The match will be stopped around the 22nd minute of both halves

  • Duration: Approximately 3 minutes

  • No temperature conditions: Unlike before, there is no lower limit such as "WBGT above a certain degree"

  • Referee discretion: It is expected that if play is already stopped due to an injury, that interruption can be "converted" into a hydration break


Previously, FIFA had implemented "cooling breaks" at the referee's discretion only when temperature and humidity exceeded certain standards. However, in the 2026 tournament, they will be conducted even if it's "not hot." The entire tournament is moving closer to a game structure segmented by time, similar to basketball or volleyball.


The background includes the "climate crisis" and North American summer

The 2026 tournament will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The opening match is scheduled for June 11, with Mexico facing South Africa in Mexico City.InfoMoney


The tournament will be held in the middle of the North American summer. Recent reports have heightened concerns about the heat, with 10 out of the 16 venues classified as having an "extremely high heat stress risk."Revista Amazônia


According to the study "Pitches in Peril" introduced by the climate-focused magazine 'Revista Amazônia,' in some cities like Atlanta, Dallas, and Houston, there are cases where "dangerous heat" days exceeding FIFA's cooling break standard (WBGT 32 degrees) continue for over a month during summer.Revista Amazônia


Furthermore, FIFA itself commented, based on lessons learned from the Club World Cup, that they aim to "protect players from various climate conditions through adjustments in match time and the setting of hydration breaks."CNN Brasil


In other words, this decision is not merely an "improvement in service," but also a concrete step towardstournament management in the era of climate change.


Social media is divided—How fans reacted

As soon as the news broke, discussions quickly spread on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. The reactions can be broadly categorized into three types.


1. Voices welcoming the "player-first" approach

The most common reactions are positive, showing concern for players who continue to run in the scorching heat.

  • "If you want them to run for 90 minutes, it's only natural to let them rest for about 3 minutes."

  • "Some players will be saved by hydration breaks. No match is more important than life."

  • "If it can reduce scenes of players collapsing from heatstroke, I don't mind the match being a bit longer."

Particularly, supporters who have witnessed players collapsing in past tournaments seem to perceive this decision as a "relief."


2. Concerns about disrupting the game's rhythm

On the other hand, there are noticeable posts expressing concerns that "the excitement of soccer might be diminished."

  • "If the match is stopped exactly at the 22nd minute during a good flow, the momentum could be ruined."

  • "With VAR, injury time, and now hydration breaks, the match is becoming more fragmented."

  • "The 3-minute break might become a 'mini-timeout,' creating tactical advantages or disadvantages."

Fans who enjoy the "rush" of deciding a match in one go are particularly sensitive to this "forced interruption."


3. Jokes and memes

In true soccer fan fashion, some are taking it with humor.

  • "There might be a sponsor commercial battle for the 22-minute hydration break."

  • "Will it just become a time for fans to refill their beer before the players?"

  • "This 3 minutes will test the coach's speech skills. The strongest motivator coach theory."


There are also "unreasonable demands" for broadcast production, such as "Why not turn on the coach's mic during the hydration break like in eSports tournaments?"


How will tactics change? A "mini-timeout" for coaches

The hydration break will become a **valuable "mini-timeout"** for coaches and managers.

  • Teams with collapsing defense can push up the line and check marking

  • The attacking side can fine-tune set-play targets and positions

  • Organize substitution plans with penalty shootouts in mind

These instructions can be more easily communicated in a short time on the pitch side.


Especially in the group stage, it will be easier to create detailed game plans like **"hold on for 10 more minutes"** while keeping an eye on goal differences and results from other venues.


On the other hand, since the opponent's momentum can be "forcibly stopped," there might be fewer scenarios where the home team pushes forward with a roar of support. When the attacking side reaches the 22nd minute in a pressing mood, the restart is likely to return to a calmer development.


Impact on broadcasting and business

For broadcasters, the hydration break holds significant meaning.

  • Replay footage and data analysis graphics can be inserted thoroughly

  • New sponsorship slots (e.g., "Hydration Break presented by ○○") can be easily set

  • For viewers, it becomes a "margin" to check their phones or take a bathroom break


However, if the commercial aspect becomes too prominent, there is a risk of criticism that it's "just increasing commercial slots under the guise of player health." How much FIFA can restrain "commercial use" and position it as a medical-scientific measure will be a point of interest moving forward.


The evolution of "heat measures" in past World Cups

In fact, hydration and cooling breaks in the World Cup are not a new concept. During the Netherlands vs. Mexico match in the 2014 Brazil tournament, the first-ever "official cooling break" was implemented in record heat. Since then, breaks have been inserted at the referee's discretion in matches expected to have extreme heat.


However, these were merelyexceptional measures.


For the first time in the 2026 tournament, the direction has shifted to "conducting it in principle in all matches," symbolizing that the soccer world now views heat and climate change as "premises" rather than "exceptions."


Benefits and risks for players

From a medical-scientific perspective, a hydration break of about 3 minutes is expected to reduce the risk of dehydration and heatstroke and prevent a decline in concentration. Especially for midfield players who may run around 12 km in 90 minutes, the ability to replenish fluids and electrolytes is significant.


On the other hand, if muscles cool down too much, the risk of muscle strain during re-acceleration increases. It will be essential to create an environment where players can continue light stretching and step work instead of sitting still on the bench.


The coaching staff's ability will be tested not only in tactics. "How much can the body be cared for and concentration maintained in 3 minutes"—the collaboration between physical coaches and medical staff will likely become more important than ever.


Whether fans can get used to it is key

Soccer has traditionally been loved as a sport with a simple time structure of "45 minutes in the first half + 45 minutes in the second half." Some fans are bewildered by recent "changes in time," such as long VAR check times and significant increases in injury time.


With the addition of the "hydration break at the 22nd minute," how will the viewing experience change?

  • For casual viewers who "watch while doing other things," it might become a more friendly system

  • For core fans, there might be more moments where they feel "the flow of the match was interrupted"


Ultimately, whether this new rule is accepted depends onhow exciting the actual matches are. If dramatic goals or comebacks occur before and after hydration breaks, it will be positively talked about as "the 3-minute break created drama."


The day "3 minutes at 22 minutes" becomes a World Cup symbol

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