FIFA has mandated that all 104 World Cup matches include three-minute hydration breaks between each half, even if the stadiums are air-conditioned, as was the case between the Netherlands and Japan.
Virgil van Dijk has made his position clear (Image: beIN Sports)
Virgil van Dijk has criticized FIFA’s decision to require hydration breaks in all 104 World Cup matches. Liverpool’s captain Van Dijk scored a goal for the Netherlands in their first Group F match against Japan on Sunday, which ended in a 2-2 draw.
The game was played at Dallas’ AT&T Stadium, which was fully air-conditioned. However, at the halfway point between the two halves, both teams came to the touchline and took a three-minute hydration break.
But if Van Dijk had his way, they would have kept playing. “The hydration breaks are really interesting…I think every time you go to commercial it’s a little bit, it’s not my favorite thing to do,” the Dutchman said.
“I don’t think it’s great either for people watching from a neutral standpoint on TV. So if it’s really hot it would be good to throw them in, but in my opinion I think you should look at it individually in every game. But I think I’ve said enough about that already.”
Get the latest 2026 World Cup news in your inbox with our Make Football Great Again newsletter
Unlike many soccer fans, Van Dijk clearly did not want to criticize FIFA any further. People at home, in pubs and in the stands are frustrated at the break, feeling as if a World Cup match is being played in four quarters.
ITV and the BBC refused, but the broadcaster took the opportunity to air the ad during the three-minute break. During the match, which co-hosts the United States won 4-1 against Paraguay, the fourth official was seen waiting for the signal from the FIFA Broadcast Liaison Office to restart the game after the start of the match was delayed due to advertising.
FIFA notified broadcasters before the tournament that they must be back in action 30 seconds before the match is due to restart. However, FOX Sports ignored that guideline in the opening game, with co-host Mexico defeating South Africa 2-0.
Should FIFA abolish hydration breaks? Please share your thoughts in the comments section.
Both teams were stopped for three minutes in the first half (Image: Michael Steele/Getty Images)
After a commercial ran during a hydration break in the second half, Fox continued to run the ad until 10 seconds after play resumed. FIFA is said to have accepted Mr Fox’s explanation for the error.
The opening match between England and Croatia will also be played in Dallas, kicking off at the same time as the Netherlands and Japan (9pm UK, 3pm local).
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive Mirror Football content every day. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check it out whenever you like. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.
Upgrade your World Cup TV setup with Sky Glass ‘designed for soccer’
From £4.50
sky
Get the deal here
Sky is marking the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 20% discount on its entire range of glass TVs. Until June 17, shoppers can upgrade to a Sky smart TV ‘designed for football’ from £4.50 a month when taken with a Sky TV and Netflix package.
