How long are the World Cup drink breaks, and how many happen in each game? Here’s what you need to know!
I get why you’re wondering about those breaks during the World Cup. Around the 22nd or 67th minute, everyone heads to the sidelines for a quick drink. Wondering how long the break will last? Or how many breaks there will be?
Well, get ready for it! Every one of the 104 games this summer, across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, will have two hydration breaks, no matter the weather. Each break should last about three minutes, with the referee calling it around the 22nd minute of each half.
Sometimes the timing might change depending on what’s happening in the game, but expect it near those minutes. Need a quick cup of tea? Now’s your chance – there’s still some time left!
Heat is going to be a big factor this World Cup. Take England’s group matches, for example. They’ll face Croatia in Texas on June 17, where it could get as hot as 34°C. Then, they’ll play Ghana in Boston with cooler weather around 26°C. But their last group game against Panama in New York on June 27 might get warm again, with temperatures in the low thirties.
England plans to use special palm-cooling devices during the breaks to help players cool down, according to The Sun. Studies show that cooling your palms can lower your body temperature, which helps players recover better during the game.
Last December, FIFA announced that hydration breaks would be a must at this World Cup. They said that watching how things went at the recent Club World Cup in the U.S. was a big reason for this change.
FIFA explained they want to give players the best possible conditions, and that they carefully planned the World Cup schedule to reduce travel, give teams plenty of rest, and make it easy for fans all over the world to watch the games.
They studied everything – from the average temperatures, cooling systems at the stadiums, to public transport and safety – and worked with different FIFA teams to get it right.
After last year’s Club World Cup game between Atletico Madrid and PSG, Marcos Llorente talked about how tough the heat was in California, reaching 40°C with 60% humidity. He said, “We’re still adjusting to playing in such heat. No European team is used to these conditions.”
He also mentioned how the heat even affected his toes and nails, saying, “It’s impossible. The heat is terrifying. My toes and nails hurt so much. I couldn’t stop or start properly. But since everyone deals with it, there’s no complaining.”