The 2026 World Cup has not been without its problems. From ticket prices skyrocketing to record heights to match officials being denied entry into host countries, issues have taken center stage in conversations surrounding the tournament. New topics appear almost every day, with specific moments from the slowly unraveling games often creating new discussions. Yesterday, the matchup between Brazil and Morocco did exactly that, opening up a larger conversation regarding the newly introduced hydration breaks.
The game between Brazil and Morocco was long-awaited by the fans, with some even calling it the first “real” game of the World Cup. Both teams are considered to be rather strong, and so a match between them promised emotions and some good football. That was exactly what it delivered in the first 45 minutes. The methodical Morocco had an edge over their opponents. After just 12 minutes of the game, they had noted six attempts at goal, compared to Brazil’s one. Their efforts were rewarded ten minutes later when a series of beautiful passes led to Ismael Saibari opening the score.
Brazil didn’t stay behind for long. They equalised before the end of the first half, after an impressive shot from Vinícius Júnior. No more goals were scored before the halftime break, although a few yellows appeared on the field as tensions rose among the players. Despite some solid chances, the second half was not nearly as good as the first, and the score remained at 1-1.
A few hours later, the two other countries from Group C, Scotland and Haiti, played a match of their own. With the former winning 1-0, they placed themselves firmly at the top of the bunch, leaving Brazil and Morocco in third and second, respectively.
What issue did the slightly disappointing game showcase? The introduction of hydration breaks.
Announced as a part of FIFA’s “commitment to player welfare at the tournament“, the hydration breaks were mandated for all World Cup games, no matter the weather. They were set to appear twice per game, midway through each half, and last for three minutes. On the surface, it seemed like a rational decision made to ensure the safety of the players. In reality, many came to see it as nothing but yet another way to commercialise the already highly commercialised tournament.
The breaks’ flaws were shown off during the Brazil-Morocco match, as during one of them, the players were allowed back onto the field too early. They stood in position, ready to play, but unable to do so since the commercial break had not yet finished.
The moment exposed the skeleton on which the supposedly welfare-focused idea was built. The players themselves were not sure what to do with themselves during the prolonged pause because it was never created with them in mind. They don’t need three minutes to take a quick sip of water, and this isn’t something that they are used to. The break often disrupts the rhythm of the game, thus causing issues for those on the field as well as those watching from home.
I am not the only person who holds such an opinion. Jürgen Klopp, a well-known German football manager summed it up well when he said:
“Football is being held hostage by executives ensconced in air-conditioned offices. When I saw the players just standing there during a heat break while TV timeouts dictated the rhythm of the match, I couldn’t help asking myself: who does the World Cup really serve? The fans? The players? Or the advertisers?”
He then further explained his point of view, by adding:
“A World Cup match should flow like a river. Instead, we build dams right in the middle so commercials can get through. Football used to be the main event, but now it risks becoming the background music to an advertising show.”
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The hydration breaks have turned into a rather controversial topic, and it does not seem like the conversation surrounding them is going to die down any time soon. While FIFA continues to claim that they were introduced with player safety in mind, every passing game convinces fans that they have indeed been driven by ulterior motives.
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