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12/08 09:17 CST World Cup to include 3-minute hydration breaks in each half of
all games, not only in hot weather
World Cup to include 3-minute hydration breaks in each half of all games, not
only in hot weather
ZURICH (AP) --- FIFA says it will include three-minute hydration breaks in each
half of every game at next year's World Cup, not just those played in hot
weather.
The referee will stop the game 22 minutes into each half for players to take
drinks, regardless of the temperature, the host country --- the United States,
Canada or Mexico --- or whether the stadium has a roof and air conditioning.
The change may also be a hit with broadcasters, since it makes the game
schedule more predictable. FIFA said it was first announced when the governing
body's chief tournament officer for the 2026 World Cup, Manolo Zubiria,
attended a meeting with broadcasters.
He indicated that referees may have some flexibility if there's a stoppage
shortly before the 22-minute mark for an injury.
"This will be addressed on the spot with the referee," Zubiria said.
FIFA said the move is a "streamlined and simplified version" of an earlier
practice of having breaks after 30 minutes over a certain temperature
threshold, once set at 32 degrees Celsius (89.6 Fahrenheit) on the wet bulb
global temperature system.
The change comes after heat and humidity affected players during some games at
last year's Club World Cup in the U.S.
At that tournament, FIFA reacted by lowering the threshold for cooling or water
breaks and also placing more water and towels around the edge of the field.
Heat has long been an issue at major soccer tournaments. Amid concerns ahead of
the 2014 World Cup, a Brazilian court ordered FIFA to make its recommended
breaks mandatory or face fines.
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
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