"Disrupts the Flow"...Boos Grow Louder Over Hydration Breaks

Mid-Game Breaks Introduced for Hot Weather
Fans Divided Over Hydration Pause

The 2026 North and Central American World Cup has introduced "hydration breaks" for the first time. However, a significant number of fans are dissatisfied with this break period. As hydration breaks are called, more spectators in the stands are booing.

On June 18 (local time), the Atlanta Stadium in Georgia, United States, hosted the Group A second-round match between the Czech Republic and South Africa. During the first and second halves, hydration breaks were given around the 22nd minute, and as the players took their breaks, boos erupted from the stands, which were filled with about 60,000 fans.

This is the first time hydration breaks have been introduced in a World Cup. The rule was established to accommodate the players, taking into account the hot and humid climates of the host nations—the United States, Canada, and Mexico—in North and Central America. Players are allowed a three-minute break in the middle of each half, during which they can replenish their energy with a quick drink of water and rest.

On the 15th (local time), during the Group H match between Spain and Cabo Verde at Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, Spain players are hydrating during a water break. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

The division among fans regarding hydration breaks is clear. While some positively note that it helps protect players’ health, critics argue that it interrupts the flow of the match and only increases the number of mid-game advertisements.

During the match, resentment toward hydration breaks became more pronounced in the second half. As the boos grew louder during the second-half hydration break, John Denver’s famous song "Take Me Home, Country Roads" was played in the stadium. As this global hit filled the venue, some fans in the stands began singing along, and the boos directed at the hydration break faded away as a result.

Some have pointed out that there is no real need for hydration breaks in stadiums fully equipped with air conditioning and cooling facilities. Hugo Broos, head coach of the South African team, stated in a post-match press conference, "It doesn’t seem necessary to have a mid-game break in a stadium that isn’t particularly hot." Atlanta Stadium, where the match was held, is a domed venue with a retractable roof and is fully air-conditioned. Although Atlanta experienced a thunderstorm after the match and generally high humidity, temperatures during the day were in the low to mid-20s Celsius, and the indoor air conditioning meant there was no concern about heat.

On this point, Coach Broos said, "When it’s hot, a mid-game break for hydration is very useful," but added, "the break disrupts the rhythm of the game. When you’re controlling the match, it breaks that flow."

He continued, "The outdoor training ground we used yesterday was very hot. In that kind of environment, it’s understandable to have time to drink something, but in a stadium like this, players don’t need to drink water after just 20 minutes," emphasizing, "I will accept the rule, but it’s not good to stop for water when you’re dominating the game."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.