Mirror Football chief writer John Cross has reviewed the 2026 World Cup's experimental features, identifying four that should be discarded and three that the Premier League must adopt immediately. Speaking on the Make Football Great Again podcast, Cross offered his verdict on FIFA's tournament laboratory, which featured 48 teams across three time zones, new rules, and advanced broadcast technology.
Four Things That Must Be Ditched
Hydration Breaks
Cross firmly opposes hydration breaks, which he says have become unwanted tactical timeouts. 'Ditch them,' he stated. 'They're just not for me.' While understandable in extreme heat, he argues they have no place in a sport built on continuous momentum, especially during cold, windy January fixtures in northern England.
Half Time Shows
The American-style entertainment at half time fell flat for Cross. 'Ditch it. I'm kind of a bit meh. I don't care, but then basically, personally, I would ditch it... Those bizarre choreographed shows didn't really work for me, so generally ditch.' Football fans traditionally use the break for tactical discussion, complaining about the referee, or queuing for food — not a Hollywood production.
The 48-Team Format
Cross criticises the expanded format for diluting the group stage. 'I hate the group stage and the lack of jeopardy,' he said. 'It's embarrassing and it's just silly and it's just not what we want. You've got to go back to kind of 32 or the whole hog can go 64.' The safety net of too many qualifying teams reduced drama and made the opening round feel like a warm-up.
The 'Snicko' Ball Sensor
Technology intended to eliminate controversy instead created confusion. Cross pointed to the contentious decision to rule out Croatia's goal against Portugal: 'Well, I didn't like it... Because basically, you cannot tell me that it helped... No chance. Absolutely no chance.' When microchip sensors contradict clear visual evidence, they undermine rather than enhance officiating.
Three Things the Premier League Must Adopt
Momentum Graphics
Cross praises the real-time data overlays that tracked shifting dominance during matches. 'I loved [the momentum graphics]. Absolutely loved them,' he said. 'Keep, love that. I think it was a genuine, interesting stat that did generate, and it was fascinating.' Such visuals would add valuable context to the Premier League's fast-paced action.
The Mistaken Identity Rule
Cross supports the safety-net VAR rule that prevents catastrophic officiating errors without slowing the game. 'Yeah, I liked it,' he said. 'And I think that, yeah, there were a few bits and pieces that I quite liked on the VAR thing... I think generally, yes, keep.' The Premier League could benefit from adopting this streamlined approach to video reviews.
The Ban on Covering the Mouth
Cross endorses the rule prohibiting players from covering their mouths when speaking to officials or opponents. 'I'd like to keep that rule that you can't, but you have to do it across the board,' he argued. 'Look, we'd have a couple of early scares, but then basically, they'd soon learn. We all know why it was brought in.' He believes strict enforcement would quickly break the habit.
