The 2026 FIFA World Cup has introduced mandatory cooling breaks in every match, a change that has sparked discussion among fans and broadcasters alike. These three-minute pauses occur at exactly 22 minutes into each half, regardless of weather conditions or stadium climate control.
What Are Cooling Breaks?
FIFA has implemented a strict new hydration policy requiring a three-minute pause at precisely 22 minutes into each half for all tournament games. This applies universally, irrespective of local weather, temperature thresholds, or whether a stadium features a closed roof and climate control systems.
Importance of Safety Interventions
The mandatory breaks are primarily designed to safeguard player health and combat extreme heat stress. Additionally, making these pauses mandatory gives broadcasters a highly predictable schedule to manage transmissions, though it reshapes the traditional flow of a football match into four quarters.
Reason for Mandatory Cooling Breaks
The initial rationale stemmed from the Club World Cup last summer, where managers and players criticized temperature conditions. Enzo Fernandez stated he felt "really dizzy" in "very dangerous" heat, while Atletico Madrid's Marcos Llorente said he felt "terribly hot" with sore toes and hurting nails.
FIFA's Response to Club World Cup
FIFA announced mandatory cooling breaks to protect player safety, stating the measures are "part of a focused attempt to ensure the best possible conditions for players, drawing upon the experiences of previous tournaments, including the recent FIFA Club World Cup."
Will Advertisements Air During Breaks?
Yes, commercial broadcasters have the option to show split-screen or full adverts during the cooling breaks, as reported by ESPN. However, ITV has decided against airing ads during these breaks, while the BBC does not show adverts at all. Broadcasters were told adverts should not start within 20 seconds of the referee's whistle and must end more than 30 seconds before play resumes.
Fallout from Ad Break Decision
The green light for ad breaks has angered fans, who suspect financial motivations behind FIFA's decision. The governing body insists the mandatory stoppage across all matches—including in colder climates—remains the same to ensure consistency throughout the tournament.
