NEW DELHI: The ever-present description of football as a “game of two halves” is set for a new narrative as FIFA, the governing body of the game, has included a three-minute hydration break midway through each half of every match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, make it a move which essentially splits the match into four quarters similar to NBA and NFL of the host United States.Previous World Cups also had cooling breaks but only when the temperature rose above a certain level. But this time, regardless of the weather’s mood, whether it is a scorching afternoon in Houston or a chilly evening in Vancouver, referees will halt play around the 22nd and 67th minutes. This effectively divides football into four distinct quarters, which also closely mirrors the structure of sports like hockey and basketball (NBA).With the three-minute breaks, now the coaches will get enough time to issue fresh instructions, settle players under pressure or make tactical changes that may affect the game on the pitch. But in a move for commercial benefits, FIFA has permitted television networks to air mid-game commercials during these mandatory stoppages. The rules are carefully structured by the governing body. If broadcasters use split-screen coverage and keep the match visible, only FIFA partners and official World Cup sponsors can advertise. The adjustment guarantees an unprecedented 624 extra minutes of break time across the tournament’s 104 matches, which adds up to over 10 hours of extra broadcast buffer. The time is enough to play seven full-time football games.The move, which absolutely mirrors the American-style advertiser-friendly model of NBA and NFL games, has received divided responses from coaches around the world. USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino voiced his frustration and said, “To be honest, I don’t like it. I don’t like it because I think you cut the rhythm of the game. I understand when you play in open stadiums, maybe yes, we need to care about the health of the players. But in this type of stadium (the venue in Atlanta) when it’s 21, 22, 23 degrees (Celsius), I think it’s the perfect time and weather to play. It annoys me a little bit, but that’s the new rule that we need to accept.” While Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia said in favour of the rule,“I like (them) because this is an opportunity for us coaches to speak with the team, to speak about strategy and plan. It was very good and interesting to speak with the team during these breaks.” With the entertainment at its centre, the final of the World Cup at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will feature a massive Super Bowl-esque halftime show, extending the traditional 15-minute interval to nearly 30 minutes.But this is not the policy FIFPro and other players asked earlier last year for the safety of the players from rising heat. It certainly opens football to more commercialisation. And if that wasn’t enough, TV partners will have the luxury to show three opening ceremonies across Mexico, Canada, and the United States. To say it crisply, the World Cup is getting bigger, louder, and built for American TV.
