Virgil van Dijk has strongly criticized FIFA's implementation of hydration breaks at the 2026 World Cup, urging the governing body to revise its own regulations. The mandatory three-minute water breaks, scheduled in the middle of each half, are officially intended to protect player welfare amid high temperatures in North America. However, van Dijk expressed frustration after the Netherlands' group stage opener against Japan, which took place in a climate-controlled stadium in Dallas with temperatures around 20 degrees Celsius.
Van Dijk Calls for Temperature Threshold
Speaking after the 2-2 draw, the Liverpool defender suggested that hydration breaks should only be enforced when temperatures exceed a certain level. “I think hydration breaks are really interesting. I was obviously watching almost all of the games up until today. I think every time going to commercials is a bit, not really something that I like,” van Dijk said. “I think for the neutral watchers on TV it is also not great. So if it is really hot 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 have said enough already on that.”
Broadcast Issues and Criticism
While UK broadcasters have not shown adverts during the breaks, other networks have, causing delays. During the USA versus Paraguay match, the fourth official waited for a signal from FIFA's Broadcast Liaison as commercials overran. FIFA issued strict guidelines requiring the feed to return at least 30 seconds before play resumes, but FOX Sports in the US violated this rule during the second half of the Mexico-South Korea match, returning only 10 seconds after play restarted. According to The Guardian, FIFA accepted the explanation and will not penalize FOX.
Critics have blasted the mandatory breaks, arguing they disrupt the flow of the game and effectively split it into four quarters rather than two halves. Van Dijk's comments add to the growing backlash against the rule change.
