FIFA cancels hydration break during France vs Iraq and makes an announcement
There was no hydration break in the second half of Monday’s World Cup game between France and Iraq.
FIFA recently started using three-minute hydration breaks in the middle of each half to help players stay hydrated, no matter the weather. This new rule has been getting a lot of attention lately. Some people think it’s a good idea, while others feel it interrupts the natural flow of the game. It has caused quite a bit of discussion.
Some critics even believe money might be behind this—Fox and Fox Sports, for example, are said to earn $250 million (£188m) from extra commercial breaks, according to Front Office Sports.
But for the first time at this World Cup, the hydration break was canceled after the France vs. Iraq match was delayed for over two hours because of bad weather. A FIFA spokesperson confirmed, “No hydration break in the second half.”
Kylian Mbappe called it a “very long evening” in Philadelphia. The match started at 5 p.m. local time, but after a two-hour delay at halftime due to heavy rain and thunderstorms, it finally finished at 8:47 p.m.
“We spent a lot of time waiting,” Mbappe said after the game. “It’s mentally and emotionally hard because we had to stay very focused in the dressing room.”
“Being in the dressing room for nearly two hours while staying focused is really tough. It takes a lot from us,” added Mbappe, who scored twice. “The players and staff worked really hard.”
Some well-known figures like Virgil van Dijk and Jurgen Klopp have criticized hydration breaks. Before the game, Mbappe said players might not be the best people to judge them.
At a press conference, he said, “My thoughts on hydration breaks? Don’t ask us players; we react quickly. If we’re winning early and there’s a break, we’ll be annoyed because it breaks our rhythm. But if it’s hot or we’re struggling, then I’m happy for the break.”
After the match, France’s coach Didier Deschamps was asked what the team did during the delay.
“We played cards,” he joked. “No, we were just waiting. The break kept getting pushed back. But I had a good time with my players and enjoyed it.”
He added, “It’s about safety. You can’t play with rain and lightning around. It didn’t bother me. These were special circumstances, and I hope it won’t happen again. It was important not to take any risks.”