Fans boo, players adapt – the view on World Cup hydration breaks

England made an ideal start to their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 4-2 victory against Croatia on Wednesday, but the match was still marked by boos from the crowd. The jeers were not aimed at players or officials, but at a controversial addition to the tournament: hydration breaks.

There are two three-minute pauses per game, one in the middle of each half, introduced to help players cope with the North American summer heat. While some national team coaches have welcomed them, fans appear less keen. Both England and Croatia supporters united in air-conditioned Dallas Stadium to jeer the break.

A main criticism is that the breaks serve as an extra revenue opportunity for broadcasters to show more ads. "The hydration breaks are obviously for one purpose and that's big money for advertisements," said one England fan after the game. "In this stadium, I don't think they were needed but in another with no air conditioning and you are playing in 90 degrees plus, they are absolutely essential." Another fan added: "Yes, if you are outside you need a hydration break, I get that. But you are in an air conditioned stadium – you don't need one. It stops the flow."

This was not the first game with such a reaction. On Tuesday, during Norway's match against Iraq in Boston (23°C), the pause was greeted with boos. The same happened during Sweden's 5-1 thrashing of Tunisia and Spain's goalless draw with Cape Verde in air-conditioned Atlanta Stadium. After England's win, the first hydration break in Ghana vs Panama also drew jeers.

The breaks effectively turn games into four quarters, a concern for many. "It is like the Americanisation of football here," said one England supporter. "It is turning the game into quarters and I don't love it. I get why people were booing and I was one of them." But some see benefits. Another fan said: "If they were not called a hydration break, and were called a relief break then everyone doesn't miss a goal. I think we have to think about it in a new way."

Coaches and players have a mixed view. Many use the pauses to regroup and give instructions, while players welcome the chance to take on fluids. "It is good practice to have them to prepare for New York and Boston," England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford said. Defender Nico O'Reilly said: "I don't feel like we need them, we've acclimatised well. They're in the tournament and we can't do anything about it. They are a good chance to get information and take fluids on board." Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk, who watched several games before his team's 2-2 draw with Japan, admitted they are "not great for TV".