UEFA has confirmed that mandatory hydration breaks will not be implemented at Euro 2028, which is set to be hosted across the UK and Ireland. The decision comes after widespread backlash from players, coaches, and fans over FIFA's enforced three-minute breaks at the ongoing 2026 World Cup in North America.
FIFA's Controversial Breaks at the World Cup
Every match at the 2026 World Cup has featured a three-minute hydration break in each half. FIFA insists these breaks are necessary for player welfare due to high temperatures at many venues. However, critics argue that the breaks serve as opportunities for television broadcasters to air advertisements.
During England's 4-2 victory over Croatia at the air-conditioned AT&T Stadium in Dallas, referee Clement Turpin was booed by both sets of supporters when he signaled the first hydration break in the 22nd minute. Similar reactions occurred during the Norway vs. Iraq match at Gillette Stadium in Boston, where the temperature was just 23°C.
UEFA's Policy on Cooling Breaks
A UEFA spokesperson confirmed to the Telegraph that the governing body has no plans to follow FIFA's lead. Current UEFA policy mandates cooling breaks only when the temperature exceeds 32°C for senior competitions. This means such breaks should be rare during Euro 2028, with fixtures scheduled in England, Scotland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland withdrew as a host country two years ago.
Criticism from Football Figures
Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa has warned that hydration breaks could fundamentally alter football. Speaking on Saturday, Bielsa said: "With the new rules there are lots of goals - so be it. According to the general consensus, playing four periods instead of two alters the culturally constructed conception of how to interpret football. In my view, it adds nothing and takes away a lot."
Bielsa added: "When [the match] was divided into four periods, no thought was given to the effect it might have on what makes football such a captivating sport, but instead to other repercussions which I'm neither discussing nor analysing. I'm saying that before this decision, football had one characteristic and now it has a different one. I'm saying that people fall in love with the game because of its characteristics. There are great successes, like the influence of VAR, which has improved the game, but this other attempt has consequences that are not positive. These aren't just my opinions, but a general view."
Impact on Euro 2028
UEFA's stance ensures that Euro 2028 will avoid the disruptions seen at the World Cup. The tournament will be played across ten stadiums in the UK and Ireland, with matches likely to experience mild summer temperatures, reducing the need for cooling breaks. Fans and players alike have welcomed the decision, hoping for a more traditional flow to the game.
