{"id":2013405,"date":"2026-06-26T10:49:18","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T07:49:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2013405"},"modified":"2026-06-26T10:49:18","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T07:49:18","slug":"why-is-there-so-much-outrage-over-fifas-hydration-breaks-at-this-years-world-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2013405","title":{"rendered":"Why is there so much outrage over FIFA\u2019s \u2018hydration breaks\u2019 at this year&#8217;s World Cup?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/46\/76\/1200x675_cmsv2_5d7f43f8-1a8b-5754-bfcb-271fcfa9ec57-9814676.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2905206-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2905206\" data-cid=\"9815215\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2905206-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/50\/82\/189x106_cmsv2_0f16ca45-0c9c-5d16-b195-8075fea12da3-9815082.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Residents search through the rubble of homes damaged in the earthquake and aftershocks that struck La Guaira, Venezuela, on 25 June 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    World News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Help, we are trapped&#8217;: Venezuela victims cry out on TikTok\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2905135-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2905135\" data-cid=\"9814624\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2905135-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/19\/16\/74\/189x106_cmsv2_2fc07f4d-573a-5400-ad00-ccd357d5fb8d-9191674.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The exterior view of the European police agency Europol headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, 2 December 2016.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    New Europol report delves into EU&#8217;s most threatening criminal networks\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2905220-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2905220\" data-cid=\"9815172\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2905220-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/29\/28\/03\/189x106_cmsv2_9cf0dd24-0dcd-5c86-b306-a104c0b3bb1b-9292803.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The EES became fully operational as of 10 April, but has had a rocky rollout with calls to put the system on hold and airports requiring extra security to manage queues. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Travel News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Rome airports could suspend EES checks to avoid summer travel chaos\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2905248-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2905248\" data-cid=\"9815352\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2905248-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/53\/52\/189x106_cmsv2_d0a9cee3-3d0f-5bbc-857f-4d314ebe5a65-9815352.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Latest news bulletin | June 26th, 2026 \u2013 Evening\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Top News Stories Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Latest news bulletin | June 26th, 2026 \u2013 Evening\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2905206-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2905206\" data-cid=\"9815215\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2905206-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/50\/82\/189x106_cmsv2_0f16ca45-0c9c-5d16-b195-8075fea12da3-9815082.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Residents search through the rubble of homes damaged in the earthquake and aftershocks that struck La Guaira, Venezuela, on 25 June 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    World News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Help, we are trapped&#8217;: Venezuela victims cry out on TikTok\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2905135-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2905135\" data-cid=\"9814624\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2905135-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/19\/16\/74\/189x106_cmsv2_2fc07f4d-573a-5400-ad00-ccd357d5fb8d-9191674.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The exterior view of the European police agency Europol headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, 2 December 2016.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    New Europol report delves into EU&#8217;s most threatening criminal networks\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2905220-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2905220\" data-cid=\"9815172\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2905220-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/29\/28\/03\/189x106_cmsv2_9cf0dd24-0dcd-5c86-b306-a104c0b3bb1b-9292803.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The EES became fully operational as of 10 April, but has had a rocky rollout with calls to put the system on hold and airports requiring extra security to manage queues. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Travel News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Rome airports could suspend EES checks to avoid summer travel chaos\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2905248-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2905248\" data-cid=\"9815352\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2905248-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/53\/52\/189x106_cmsv2_d0a9cee3-3d0f-5bbc-857f-4d314ebe5a65-9815352.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Latest news bulletin | June 26th, 2026 \u2013 Evening\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Top News Stories Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Latest news bulletin | June 26th, 2026 \u2013 Evening\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Culture<\/p>\n<p>                          Culture news<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Why is there so much outrage over FIFA\u2019s \u2018hydration breaks\u2019 at this year&#8217;s World Cup?<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/46\/76\/1536x864_cmsv2_5d7f43f8-1a8b-5754-bfcb-271fcfa9ec57-9814676.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Why is there so much outrage over FIFA\u2019s \u2018hydration breaks\u2019 at the World Cup?  \"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Why is there so much outrage over FIFA\u2019s \u2018hydration breaks\u2019 at the World Cup?<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo &#8211; Canva<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo &#8211; Canva\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspDavid Mouriquand\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1782470958\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-06-26 12:49:18 +02:00\">26\/06\/2026 &#8211; 12:49 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label 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class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Every World Cup game has been interrupted due to new scheduled &#8220;hydration breaks&#8221;, a move from FIFA which has been met with a chorus of boos. What\u2019s behind the interruptions, and why are they so controversial?<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content c-article-content--culture js-article-content\">\n<p>The World Cup has seen plenty of joyous moments already, but also an impressive string of controversies.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>From <strong>Japanese fans cleaning up stadiums<\/strong> to <strong>Scottish food requests<\/strong> and <strong>Erling Haaland being a gem of a man<\/strong>, it\u2019s been exciting to see some of the viral moments surrounding the tournament. But at the center of much backlash has been FIFA president Gianni Infantino.<\/p>\n<p>He defended the <strong>exorbitant ticket prices<\/strong> which make the tournament look like an elitist shambles; concerns were raised over FIFA\u2019s supposed political neutrality when he awarded <strong>FIFA&#8217;s inaugural Peace Price to Donald Trump<\/strong>; he\u2019s been using a private jet to attend two games per day, thereby adding to what the <strong>New Weather Institute<\/strong> has described as \u201cthe most polluting event ever\u201d&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>Then there was his tone-deaf advice that everyone <strong>\u201cshould chill\u201d<\/strong> over Somali referee Omar Artan being denied entry to the US, and the recent announcement he made confirming that Donald Trump will hand over the World Cup trophy to the winners at the final on 19 July&#8230; The <strong>controversies continue<\/strong>, and list goes on.<\/p>\n<p>One grating concern gaining increasing traction are this year&#8217;s controversial &#8220;hydration breaks&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>You may have noticed that this year\u2019s matches have seen the jarring introduction of mandatory stoppages midway through each half. The move has been presented as necessary for player welfare, but not everyone is convinced.<\/p>\n<p>Granted, the need to prioritise the health of players in high temperatures is important, but many argue that the four-quarter format more readily associated with American sports are not necessary when so many stadiums already have roofs and air conditioning.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/46\/76\/808x539_cmsv2_524723b4-47a5-568d-adc9-45469781ad19-9814676.jpg\" alt=\"Gianni Infantino\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Gianni Infantino<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Why Erling Haaland has become the World Cup\u2019s most entertaining star<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Scotland urges US to \u2018make haggis legal again\u2019 ahead of World Cup<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Loud boos have greeted the stoppages and have become a growing trend; but it\u2019s not just the fans who are irked by these interruptions. Players and coaches have spoken out against the way the games are altered by the new structure.<\/p>\n<p>Dutch footballer Virgil van Dijk has criticised their introduction after the Netherlands&#8217; 2-2 draw with Japan at the air-conditioned AT&amp;T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on 14 June.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Hydration breaks are a bit interesting, because I was obviously watching almost all the games up until today, and every time going to commercial is a bit&#8230; Not really that I like it,&#8221; said van Dijk. &#8220;I think for the neutral watchers on TV it&#8217;s also not great. If it&#8217;s really hot, obviously 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&#8217;ve said enough already for that.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa criticised the hydration breaks before Uruguay vs. Cape Verde on 21 June, saying: &#8220;According to the general consensus, playing four periods instead of two alters the culturally constructed conception of how to interpret football. In my view, it adds nothing and takes away a lot.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>England head coach Thomas Tuchel also admitted he is not a fan of the breaks. &#8220;I think that it interrupts and changes the identity of a football match much more than I thought. I had hydration breaks before when it was really, really hot and needed, but they were shorter. It breaks the match almost in four quarters. And I think it changes the characteristic of the match more than I thought.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Overall, though, I think I like football more when it&#8217;s played in one go in one half because it builds a momentum,\u201d he added. &#8220;It&#8217;s hard to build momentum, and it&#8217;s hard to keep the momentum, when there are breaks.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>As for United States women&#8217;s head coach Emma Hayes, who is working as a pundit for UK broadcaster ITV during the tournament, she said the timing of the hydration breaks can be a double-edged sword.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s advantageous for the team losing momentum &#8211; that&#8217;s why I call them momentum breaks,&#8221; she said. &#8220;When you&#8217;re on top, you don&#8217;t want it. When you&#8217;re losing, you do.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/46\/76\/808x539_cmsv2_a5f99695-5f86-578e-aace-3cee4aa7f54c-9814676.jpg\" alt=\"Gianni Infantino\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Gianni Infantino<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">World Cup 2026 kit ranking: Which teams are the fashionable winners and unstylish losers?<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Sesame Street scandal: Elmo\u2019s World Cup support reveals Republican \u2018hypocrisy\u2019<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>FIFA has argued that its decision to apply drinks breaks across all 104 matches regardless of the local temperature at the time of each match was designed to ensure consistency across the tournament.<\/p>\n<p>However, many have called out Infantino for what they percieve to be the underlying financial motivations behind the drink break imposition. These critics argue that they are a stealth way of inserting advertising.<\/p>\n<p>Indeed, every time the referee&#8217;s whistle stops the game 22 minutes into each half, viewers watching from home get either a split-screen or a full cut-away to commercials.<\/p>\n<p>So, a shameless money-grabbing scheme?<\/p>\n<p>Infantino insists it isn&#8217;t, stating that FIFA is making no extra money as a result of networks cutting to commercials.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;There is no additional revenue for FIFA, as all commercial agreements were signed well in advance,\u201d he said. \u201cThis is not a financial issue for us. For us, it is purely a sporting matter.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Regardless, the jeers continue, fans aren\u2019t happy, and more people are pointing out how the breaks have opened up additional advertising windows for broadcasters.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cUnnecessary capitalism\u201d, \u201cblatant game disruption for more ad revenue\u201d, \u201canother reason to hate Infantino and the commercialism of football,\u201d are some of the widely shared comments online, with few believing Infantino\u2019s defence when faced with mounting criticism.<\/p>\n<p>Check out some reactions below: <\/p>\n<p>Undeterred, the current head of FIFA has said that the governing body will consider keeping hydration breaks for future World Cups, despite the backlash. And when they do inevitably rule to continue with these interruptions, it\u2019s worth keeping in mind that broadcasters will be chomping at the bit when it comes to live rights&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>More heartening for football fans, however, has been UEFA\u2019s reaction.<\/p>\n<p>The governing body of European football has ruled out hydration breaks, confirming that there are no plans to deviate from the traditional uninterrupted two halves for the Champions League and the 2028 European Championships.<\/p>\n<p>In the meantime, at least some are having fun with it:<\/p>\n<p><strong>The 2026 World Cup (and its advertising breaks) takes place in the US, Canada and Mexico until 19 July.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center 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src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/39\/34\/480x270_cmsv2_f2c1104e-baba-599d-b805-0e56520ec901-9813934.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Erling Haaland has brought unfiltered joy to a high-pressure World Cup\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Culture news<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Why Erling Haaland has become the World Cup\u2019s most entertaining star<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2903933-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2903933\" data-cid=\"9808273\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2903933-label-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" 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src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/39\/34\/320x180_cmsv2_f2c1104e-baba-599d-b805-0e56520ec901-9813934.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Erling Haaland has brought unfiltered joy to a high-pressure World Cup\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Why Erling Haaland has become the World Cup\u2019s most entertaining star<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2904850-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2904850\" data-cid=\"9813257\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2904850-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" 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Hasbro requires child actors to sign voices over to AI\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Peppa Pig controversy as Hasbro introduce AI clause for child actors<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2905080-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2905080\" data-cid=\"9814359\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2905080-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/43\/59\/320x180_cmsv2_ec8d3f1b-ffcf-5994-b7cd-ed04ecda2c54-9814359.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Harvey Weinstein will not face fourth New York rape trial \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  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data-cid=\"9810242\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Extraordinary: WWII assault gun discovered<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2904925-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2904925\" data-cid=\"9813643\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    License to screen test: Casting for new James Bond enters final stage<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2904768-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2904768\" data-cid=\"9812690\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    DJ named alleged &#8216;mastermind&#8217; of international drug trafficking ring<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">The World Cup has seen plenty of joyous moments already, but also an impressive string of controversies.From Japanese fans cleaning up stadiums to\u00a0Scottish food requests and Erling Haaland being a gem of a man, it\u2019s been exciting to see some of the viral moments surrounding the tournament. But at the center of much backlash has been FIFA president Gianni Infantino.He defended the\u00a0exorbitant ticket prices\u00a0which make the tournament look like an elitist shambles; concerns were raised over FIFA\u2019s supposed political neutrality\u00a0when he\u00a0awarded\u00a0FIFA&#8217;s inaugural Peace Price to Donald Trump; he\u2019s been using a private jet to attend two games per day, thereby\u00a0adding to what the New Weather Institute has described as \u201cthe most polluting event ever\u201d&#8230;Then there was his tone-deaf\u00a0advice that everyone \u201cshould chill\u201d over Somali referee Omar Artan\u00a0being\u00a0denied entry to the US, and the recent announcement he made\u00a0confirming that Donald Trump will hand over the World Cup trophy to the winners at the final on 19 July&#8230; The controversies continue, and list goes on.One\u00a0grating concern gaining increasing traction are this year&#8217;s controversial &#8220;hydration breaks&#8221;.You may have noticed that this year\u2019s matches have seen the jarring introduction of mandatory stoppages midway through each half. The move has been presented as necessary for player welfare, but not everyone is convinced.Granted, the need to prioritise the health of players in high temperatures is\u00a0important, but many\u00a0argue that the four-quarter format more readily associated with American sports are not necessary when so many stadiums already have roofs and air conditioning.Loud boos\u00a0have greeted the stoppages and have become a growing trend; but it\u2019s not just the fans who are irked by these interruptions. Players and coaches have spoken out against the way the games are altered by the new structure.Dutch footballer Virgil van Dijk has criticised their introduction after the Netherlands&#8217; 2-2 draw with Japan at the air-conditioned AT&amp;T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on 14 June.&#8221;Hydration breaks are a bit interesting, because I was obviously watching almost all the games up until today, and every time going to commercial is a bit&#8230; Not really that I like it,&#8221; said van Dijk. &#8220;I think for the neutral watchers on TV it&#8217;s also not great. If it&#8217;s really hot, obviously 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&#8217;ve said enough already for that.&#8221;Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa criticised the hydration breaks before Uruguay vs. Cape Verde on 21 June, saying: &#8220;According to the general consensus, playing four periods instead of two alters the culturally constructed conception of how to interpret football. In my view, it adds nothing and takes away a lot.&#8221;England head coach Thomas Tuchel also admitted he is not a fan of the breaks. &#8220;I think that it interrupts and changes the identity of a football match much more than I thought. I had hydration breaks before when it was really, really hot and needed, but they were shorter. It breaks the match almost in four quarters. And I think it changes the characteristic of the match more than I thought.&#8221;&#8221;Overall, though, I think I like football more when it&#8217;s played in one go in one half because it builds a momentum,\u201d he added. &#8220;It&#8217;s hard to build momentum, and it&#8217;s hard to keep the momentum, when there are breaks.\u201dAs for United States women&#8217;s head coach Emma Hayes, who is working as a pundit for UK broadcaster ITV during the tournament, she said the timing of the hydration breaks can be a double-edged sword.&#8221;It&#8217;s advantageous for the team losing momentum &#8211; that&#8217;s why I call them momentum breaks,&#8221; she said. &#8220;When you&#8217;re on top, you don&#8217;t want it. When you&#8217;re losing, you do.\u201dFIFA has argued that its decision to apply drinks breaks across all 104 matches regardless of the local temperature at the time of each match was designed to ensure consistency across the tournament.However, many have called out Infantino for what they percieve to be the underlying\u00a0financial motivations behind\u00a0the drink break imposition. These critics argue that they are a stealth way of inserting advertising.Indeed, every time the referee&#8217;s whistle stops the game 22 minutes into each half, viewers watching from home get either a split-screen or a full cut-away to commercials.So, a shameless money-grabbing scheme?Infantino insists it isn&#8217;t, stating that FIFA is making no extra money as a result of networks cutting to commercials.&#8221;There is no additional revenue for FIFA, as all commercial agreements were signed well in advance,\u201d he said. \u201cThis is not a financial issue for us. For us, it is purely a sporting matter.&#8221;Regardless, the jeers continue,\u00a0fans aren\u2019t happy, and more people are pointing out how the breaks have opened up additional advertising windows for broadcasters.\u201cUnnecessary capitalism\u201d, \u201cblatant game disruption for more ad revenue\u201d, \u201canother reason to hate Infantino and the commercialism of football,\u201d are some of the widely shared comments online, with few believing Infantino\u2019s defence when faced with mounting criticism.Check out some reactions below:\u00a0Undeterred, the current\u00a0head of FIFA has\u00a0said that the governing body will consider keeping hydration breaks for future World Cups, despite the backlash. And when they do inevitably rule to continue with these interruptions, it\u2019s worth keeping in mind that broadcasters will be chomping at the bit when it comes to live rights&#8230;More heartening for football fans, however, has been UEFA\u2019s reaction.The governing body of European football has ruled out hydration breaks,\u00a0confirming that there are no plans to deviate from the traditional uninterrupted two halves for the Champions League and the 2028 European Championships.In the meantime, at least some are having fun with it:The 2026 World Cup (and its advertising breaks) takes place in the US, Canada and Mexico until 19 July. \u00a0<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/2026\/06\/26\/why-is-there-so-much-outrage-over-fifas-hydration-breaks-at-this-years-world-cup&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/46\/76\/1200x675_cmsv2_5d7f43f8-1a8b-5754-bfcb-271fcfa9ec57-9814676.jpg&#8221;] World News Help, we are trapped&#8217;: Venezuela victims cry out on TikTok Europe News New Europol report delves into EU&#8217;s most threatening criminal networks Travel News Rome airports could suspend EES checks to avoid summer travel chaos Top News Stories Today Latest news bulletin | June 26th, 2026 \u2013 Evening World News [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-2013405","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2013405","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2013405"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2013405\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2013405"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2013405"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2013405"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}