All World Cup games are stopped midway through the first half, with a three-minute downtime allowing players to rehydrate and talk to their managers. But critics say it is only required so FIFA can sell more advertising space, a claim denied by the governing body.
Water breaks have been a regular feature at previous World Cups, but only when the temperature exceeds a certain level. World Cup matches are often held in hot and humid conditions, but in some stadiums with roofs, temperatures can drop due to air conditioning equipment.
To the surprise of many, Klopp threw a cheer during the break in play, telling the BBC: “It’s really hot and it’s good for the players. Is it good for the coaches too? Yeah, that’s good. Now it might be a little too long. You don’t need two and a half minutes to drink, so it’s definitely too long. But that’s the problem.”
Before adding, “That’s totally fine, but I get it when I’m sitting at home and the commercials start…but at my age, going to the bathroom is a welcome break!”
UEFA has already promised that there will be no mandatory hydration breaks for all matches at the European Championship in two years’ time, unless temperatures rise above a certain threshold. FIFA president Gianni Infantino came out this week to defend the break, saying: “The main reason is the heat, but you also have to understand that in a 39-day tournament like the (FIFA) World Cup, when teams can potentially play eight games in 39 days, rest time is very important.”
“What’s even more important for us is to ensure that all teams play in the same conditions in every game. And it’s very difficult to accept that just because it’s hot, a coach has the opportunity to make adjustments and influence the game, but in another game where the temperatures are a little cooler, the same coach doesn’t have the same opportunity. We want to ensure level conditions for everyone, which is why these breaks will be in place in every game.”
