FIFA announced in December that all 104 World Cup matches would be suspended for a three-minute rehydration break, and pundits and supporters have made their thoughts known.
Didier Deschamps and France players during the World Cup match against Iraq (Image: (Dan Mullan/Getty Images))
Hydration breaks were abolished during the second half of the World Cup match between France and Iraq. Due to the high temperatures expected in North America, FIFA announced last December that it would introduce a three-minute break midway through the first half of all 104 matches at this summer’s World Cup.
However, the suspension period was somewhat controversial, as it not only allowed commercial broadcasters to run advertisements during the suspension period, but also resulted in coaches giving tactical instructions to players and disrupting the flow of matches.
However, the second half break for France vs. Iraq was scrapped after the start of the second half was delayed by more than two hours due to bad weather. A FIFA spokesperson confirmed only that “there will be no hydration break in the second half.”
Not only was heavy rain falling at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field toward the end of the first half, but there was also lightning activity approaching the stadium. Supporters were told by officials to “exit the open seating areas” of the ground during the interval.
FIFA initially confirmed that the start of the second half would be delayed by at least 15 minutes to prioritize the safety of players and fans. However, it took more than two hours for the game to restart, with France leading 1-0 at half-time with Kylian Mbappé’s goal just 14 minutes later.
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While many pundits have voiced their opposition to the introduction of hydration breaks, there is a growing tendency for crowds to boo when drinks breaks begin. Coach Virgil van Dijk also criticized the Netherlands after their 2-2 draw with Japan at the air-conditioned AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, was split into four quarters.
When asked about them, the center back laughed and said: “The hydration break is kind of funny, because obviously I’ve watched almost every game up until today, and every time I go to commercial, it’s a little bit… I don’t really like it.
“I don’t think it’s good for the people who are watching from a neutral standpoint on TV either. If it’s really hot, obviously it’s better to throw them in. But in my opinion, I think you have to look at it separately for every game. But I think we’ve said enough about that already.”
Dutch goalkeepers Bad Verbruggen and Virgil van Dijk after the draw with Japan (Image: (ANP via Getty Images))
However, France national team coach Didier Deschamps revealed that he is a fan of the French players ahead of their opening match against Senegal. “The three-minute hydration break allows us to bring the players closer together, which gives us an opportunity to adjust some things regarding the 22-23 minute game that just happened,” he said.
“With the temperature being high, it is important to be able to give this additional opportunity, two opportunities to the head coach. It is good – this is true, but it leads to breaking up the game and if you are in an advantageous position, after this break you have to start playing again. But we will adapt to this, even our preparation work anticipated this.”
“Not two halves of four quarters. This is what we got and what was decided, so the players and coaches will adjust to this new reality, but we can talk two extra times.”
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