While no one should quibble about players being allowed to grab a quick drink of water during World Cup games played in the heat of North America’s summer months, broadcasters have been quick to take advantage of these hydration breaks.
Broadcasters Under Fire
In the case of Fox during the first game of the tournament, it was taking a bit too much advantage. During Thursday’s game between Mexico and South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Fox — the official World Cup broadcaster in the U.S. — aired several commercials during a mandated hydration break.
While the fact that Fox cut to the full-screen ads as the players on the field grabbed something to drink and had a quick strategy session with their coaches isn’t against the rules, it certainly drew the ire of many fans.
It was only made worse that when TV viewers were sent back to the action, the ball already was in play, leading many fans to vent their anger on social media over the American broadcaster breaking one of sport’s ‘cardinal sins.’
Missed Action and Social Media Backlash
According to reports, the referee had even been told to hold back the resumption of play so that the ads could finish, although it has not been confirmed if that is the case.
In Canada, TSN also aired full-screen ads during the hydration breaks and at least once appeared to miss the initial resumption of play in Mexico-South Africa. Meanwhile in the UK, BBC reportedly have taken a different approach to FIFA’s hydration breaks, instead opting to cut to its studio panel for game analysis.
FIFA's Rules on Commercials
Fox may be in some hot water from FIFA over the tardy return from its commercial break. According to The Athletic’s Henry Bushnell, FIFA’s rules state that broadcasters may cut away from the stadium feed during hydration breaks, but should “not start within 20 seconds of the referee’s whistle pausing play, and the match feed should return more than 30 seconds before play resumes.”
While Fox missing some action during the opening game is more egregious, it apparently also broke FIFA’s rules during the second game by cutting away too early after the referee’s whistle. FIFA has yet to comment on the incidents and it is unclear whether there will be any punishment for the broadcaster.
What Are FIFA's Hydration Break Rules?
Last December, FIFA announced that it again would use these breaks to help “prioritize player welfare,” during the tournament. The organization said it would use a “streamlined and simplified version” of the breaks that had been incorporated during some previous tournaments, including the FIFA Club World Cup, which took place in the U.S. last summer.
Referees will stop games roughly 22 minutes into each half allowing players to rehydrate and will take place in every game, no matter the conditions. “For every game, no matter where the games are played, no matter if there’s a roof, (or) temperature-wise, 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.
