Virgil van Dijk has blasted FIFA’s implementation of the hydration breaks at the 2026 World Cup and has called on the governing body to amend their own rules. Three-minute water breaks have been mandated at this World Cup, with one taking place in the middle of each half.
The official line is to protect player welfare amid soaring temperatures in North America for this summer’s tournament. However, Van Dijk was left frustrated following the Netherlands’ first match of the group stage against Japan, because the game took place in a temperature-controlled stadium.
The stadium in Dallas was said to be around 20 degrees Celsius during the match, with Van Dijk suggesting hydration breaks should only be used when the temperature is above a certain threshold. Speaking in the aftermath of the 2-2 draw, the Liverpool ace said: “I think hydration breaks are really interesting. I was obviously watching almost all of the games up until today. I think every time going to commercials is a bit, not really something that I like.
“I think for the neutral watchers on TV it is also not great. So if it is really hot it would be good to put them in but I think you have to look at it in every game, separately, in my opinion. But I think I have said enough already on that.”
Broadcasters in the UK haven’t been showing adverts during the breaks, but that isn’t the case everywhere. In fact, during the USA’s clash with Paraguay, the fourth official was captured waiting for the FIFA Broadcast Liaison to signal the restart of the match as it was delayed by commercials.
FIFA issued strict guidelines surrounding the breaks to broadcasters ahead of the tournament, but FOX Sports in the US has already fallen foul of them. It’s stated that the feed must return at least 30 seconds before play resumes, and during the second half of the first match between Mexico and South Korea, the FOX broadcast didn’t come back until 10 seconds after play restarted.
As per the Guardian, FIFA won’t punish FOX for their breaking of the rules, as the governing body are said to have accepted the explanation. Critics have blasted FIFA’s decision to mandate hydration breaks, claiming it has altered the structure of the sport and turned a game of two halves into one with four quarters.