FIFA has announced a groundbreaking change for the upcoming World Cup, introducing a new three-stage break system during matches. With concerns over extreme heat, organisers are ensuring that players will have additional opportunities to hydrate beyond the usual half-time interval.
According to an official press release from football’s governing body, referees will now call for water breaks at two specific points in each half, in addition to the standard mid-half pause. Under this new regulation, once 22 minutes of play have elapsed in either half, a three-minute hydration break will be implemented, allowing players to recover and maintain optimal performance.
Previously, FIFA had employed what was known as a ‘cooling break,’ but it only came into effect if temperatures exceeded 31 degrees Celsius at kick-off. Matches would see a brief pause around the 30-minute mark of each half to combat heat. The new rule, however, removes this temperature dependency entirely. Every half will feature a water break, regardless of the weather.
Manolo Zubiria, the World Cup’s Chief Tournament Officer, explained that referees still have discretion. If a player sustains an injury before the 22-minute mark, officials may call for a break slightly earlier to ensure safety. This adjustment highlights FIFA’s commitment to prioritising player welfare while maintaining the pace and excitement of matches.
Next year’s World Cup will be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico in June and July—a period widely anticipated to produce some of the hottest conditions in World Cup history. By implementing these additional hydration pauses, FIFA hopes to protect players from heat-related risks and sustain the high-quality football fans expect from the world’s premier tournament.
These measures also underline the sport’s evolving approach to athlete health, recognising that modern footballers operate under intense physical and environmental pressures. Experts have welcomed the change, noting that frequent hydration breaks can reduce the risk of cramps, fatigue, and heat exhaustion while keeping the tempo of play high.