MANDATORY DRINK BREAKS: FIFA ADDS TWO 3-MINUTE HALFTIME PAUSES FOR 2026 WORLD CUP
The 2026 World Cup will feature two mandatory 3-minute hydration breaks in each half, regardless of temperature, prioritising player safety and tactics.
The next World Cup will be a bit different. One change is the addition of two set drink breaks each match.
FIFA announced Sunday that these breaks will be required. They'll happen at the midpoint of each half and last three minutes.
The game clock won't stop, but three minutes will be tacked on to the end of each half as stoppage time.
This decision came after discussions at the World Cup draw in Washington, D.C., where national team coaches and broadcasters were present.
Everyone seemed to agree it was a good idea, especially FIFA's medical team, who emphasised player safety.
These breaks also give coaches a chance to chat strategy with their teams.
Each half of the 2026 World Cup matches will have a mandatory three-minute drink break.
The Club World Cup showed that players had a tough time with the heat during midday games in the United States, which was 5 p.m. or 8 p.m. in the UK.
That tournament this summer got some heat of its own when managers and players struggled with high temperatures during those midday games in the U.S.
Even if the weather's nice during the World Cup, FIFA is keeping the drink breaks.
FIFA said Sunday night that there wouldn't be any weather rules. Referees will call the breaks in every game to keep things fair for all teams.
Manolo Zubiria, FIFA's chief tournament officer for the 2026 World Cup, told broadcasters that the breaks would last three minutes, from whistle to whistle, in both halves.
He added that if someone gets hurt around the 20th or 21st minute, the ref would handle it then and there, according to FIFA.
During the Club World Cup, Paris Saint-Germain's coach, Luis Enrique, moaned about the heat after beating Atletico Madrid 4-0 in a midday game in Los Angeles. The temperature was close to 40 degrees Celsius with 60 per cent humidity.
He said that the temperature clearly affected the match, and while the time was good for European viewers, it wasn't good for the teams.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Maresca felt dizzy due to the heat and said it was hard to play at a high level for the entire 90 minutes.
Argentina said the heat was dangerous for players, fans, and the game itself. The speed of the game slowed down.
EXCLUSIVE: AJAX AND SCHALKE LAUNCH BIDS FOR OUT-OF-CONTRACT RANGERS MIDFIELDER BAILEY RICE NOW
Rangers midfielder Bailey Rice is a top target for Ajax and Schalke. Get the latest on his contract status and potential summer exit.
Ajax and Schalke are chasing Rangers midfielder Bailey Rice, with both clubs working to seal a deal for the 19-year-old, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Rangers just wrapped up a training camp in Spain, gearing up for a crucial five-game stretch to go for the league title after the split earlier this month. Their run-in starts with Motherwell at home on Sunday, then a massive trip to face league leaders Hearts at Tynecastle next weekend.
After that comes the season’s final Old Firm showdown against Celtic at Parkhead on May 10, before closing out with Hibernian and Falkirk, who are the lowest-ranked teams in the split, having finished fifth and sixth.
This summer looks set for big changes at Rangers, and Rice is right at the centre of it. Romano reported on X that both Ajax and Schalke want to sign Rice as a free agent. The young Scottish midfielder is out of contract this summer. Talks over a new deal with Rangers haven’t worked out, so he’s weighing up his next move. Schalke reportedly already made him a personal offer, and Premier League side Aston Villa had also been linked with him earlier this year.
Rice has barely featured for Rangers this season after suffering a serious training injury that needed surgery; he’s only played a handful of minutes.
As for the rest of the squad, Rangers look set for another overhaul. After a busy transfer window last summer and more signings in January, things don’t seem to be slowing down. Manager Rohl has made do with what he has, but the club’s owners, the 49ers, are ready to back a ‘major recruitment drive’ this summer. Their aim? Knock Celtic off the top and keep Hearts from breaking up the Old Firm grip on Scottish football.
Nobody knows just how many players could come in yet, but it’s clear the owners are serious about shaking things up at Ibrox.
CARLO ANCELOTTI ISSUES TWO-MONTH WORLD CUP ULTIMATUM TO SANTOS STAR NEYMAR
Carlo Ancelotti confirms Neymar has two months to prove his fitness for the 2026 World Cup. Read the full Selecao update.
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Everyone’s talking about Neymar again as the 2026 World Cup edges closer. It’s the same old debate: does he still have a spot with Brazil? But this time there’s real hope on the table. Carlo Ancelotti’s left the door open for Neymar to make the cut. Even though Neymar hasn’t made the latest squads, he’s obviously still on the minds of the Selecao coaches.
Here’s the situation: Neymar's been battling injuries since he tore his ACL. He missed the season’s first 10 games after knee surgery last December. He got back on the field, but fitness issues and a suspension meant he still watched from the sidelines quite a bit. Still, Ancelotti isn’t ruling him out. In an interview with L’Equipe, Ancelotti emphasised Neymar’s reputation but also made something very clear: if Neymar wants the World Cup, he needs to earn it.
Talent isn't a question; nobody doubts Neymar’s skill. What matters for Ancelotti is being fit. No exceptions, no matter how big the star. “Neymar can come back. I’ve said it before, and it’s simple: only physically ready players get called up,” Ancelotti said flat-out. “His recovery from the knee injury is going well; he’s scoring again. He just needs to keep pushing and get fitter. He’s headed in the right direction.”
With 79 goals in 128 matches, Neymar has shaped Brazil’s football history. Ancelotti gets that fans want to see Neymar try one more time for the one trophy he’s never won. “Neymar belongs to Brazil’s football story. He’s hugely talented, so obviously people hope he’ll help us win the next World Cup. Right now, he’s under assessment not just by the CBF but by me, too. He’s got two months left to show he has what it takes for the World Cup,” Ancelotti said.
Neymar’s chance to prove himself is coming fast, with big matches for Santos ahead. He’s expected to start this Saturday when they face Atlético-MG at Vila Belmiro. If Neymar stays healthy and sharp, that final World Cup dream is still alive.
