FIFA Confirms Hydration Breaks For 2026 FIFA World Cup
Due to the severe heat expected during the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, FIFA has confirmed that three-minute hydration breaks will be implemented in each half.
FIFA said the measures were introduced for player welfare and will apply regardless of the weather conditions.
Referees will stop play 22 minutes into each half to allow players to rehydrate.
With the tournament taking place across North America in June and July 2026, experts have warned that high temperatures, wildfires and even hurricanes could affect teams, fans and stadium workers.
These measures follow the extreme heat experienced during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, also held in June and July.
“For every game, no matter where the matches are played, whether there’s a roof or the temperature varies, there will be a three-minute hydration break. It will be three minutes from whistle to whistle in both halves,” said Manolo Zubiria, Chief Tournament Officer (USA) for the FIFA World Cup 2026, during the World Broadcaster Meeting held in Washington, D.C.
“Obviously, if there is an injury stoppage around the 20th or 21st minute, this will be handled on the spot with the referee,” he added.
Meanwhile, FIFA plans to stage three opening ceremonies at the start of the tournament. In addition to the main ceremony at the opening game on Thursday, 11 June 2026 in Mexico City (Mexico vs South Africa), ceremonies will also take place before the first matches in the other host nations on Friday, 12 June 2026, in Toronto (Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, Northern Ireland or Wales) and Los Angeles (United States vs Paraguay).
The FIFA World Cup 2026 final, scheduled for Sunday, 19 July 2026 at New York New Jersey Stadium, will also feature a Half-Time Show for the first time, along with the traditional closing ceremony.
After facing Mexico on 11 June in the opening match of Group A at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City—one of world football’s most historic venues—Bafana Bafana will take on South Korea and the European playoff winner, which will be determined in March next year.
The European playoff will be contested by Denmark, North Macedonia, Czechia or the Republic of Ireland.
Bafana’s second match, on 18 June, will be against the European playoff winner, before they conclude the group stage against South Korea on 25 June.
