By Tom Down
Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer believe the hydration breaks in each half of FIFA World Cup 2026 matches are “nonsense”.
FIFA’s decision to implement stoppages separating World Cup matches into quarters has been a huge talking point during the tournament in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
Unnecessary breaks
Speaking on The Rest Is Football on Netflix, Shearer said: “They’re nonsense, the hydration breaks.
“They’re playing in air-conned stadiums.”
Shearer revealed further frustration with the breaks when speaking to Betfair, saying: “For players’ safety, when it’s too hot, yes, absolutely have a hydration break.
“But, for example, England’s game [against Croatia] was air-conditioned. 21 degrees – perfect temperature with a roof over.
“So, there is absolutely no need for players’ welfare to have a hydration break.
“We all know what they’re for. We all know why they have brought them in.
“And the vast majority of time, unfortunately, it’s not for player welfare. It’s for adverts.”
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Americanising football
Those sentiments were echoed by Shearer’s The Rest Is Football co-host Gary Lineker.
Linekar said: “We know it’s not a hydration break. It’s a commercial break.
“I mean, it’s a game of four quarters – it’s the Americanisation of our sport in many ways and another way to make a few bob I think.”
The mandatory three-minute breaks were officially introduced by FIFA to ensure the welfare and safety of players facing high temperatures at the World Cup.
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