The 2026 World Cup will include hydration breaks during every half of competition, effectively splitting matches into four quarters, FIFA announced.
Dec. 8 The 2026 World Cup will include hydration breaks in each half of competition, effectively splitting matches into four quarters, FIFA announced.
Water breaks also were used at last summer’s 2025 Club World Cup, which was held in the United States, but only for games played in extreme heat.
Referees at the 2026 World Cup will stop all matches 22 minutes into each half to allow players to rehydrate at the matches, which are to be played from June 11 to July 14 in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
