Virgil van Dijk has criticised FIFA's decision to mandate hydration breaks at the 2026 World Cup, with the Liverpool defender calling on the governing body to amend its own rules
Virgil van Dijk
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk took aim at the World Cup's hydration breaks(Image: Claro Sports)
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Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has hit out at FIFA's use of hydration breaks at the 2026 World Cup. The Netherlands centre-back has urged the governing body to revisit its own regulations.
The 34-year-old was on target for Oranje in their group opener against Japan on Sunday. Van Dijk continued his rich goalscoring form after his most prolific season as a professional but it wasn't enough as Ronald Koeman's side were forced to settle for a draw.
Water breaks have been divisive at this summer's tournament after the opportunity to rehydrate has been overshadowed by some television broadcasters taking the opportunity to display adverts.
However, Van Dijk was left exasperated following the Netherlands' opening group stage clash against Japan, as the match was held in a climate-controlled venue.
Van Dijk said: "I think hydration breaks are really interesting. I was obviously watching almost all of the games up until today. I think every time going to commercials is a bit, not really something that I like.
"I think for the neutral watchers on TV it is also not great. So if it is really hot it would be good to put them in but I think you have to look at it in every game, separately, in my opinion. But I think I have said enough already on that."
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Three-minute water breaks have been made compulsory at this World Cup, with one scheduled in the middle of each half, due to the extreme weather conditions across the Atlantic.
The official reasoning is to safeguard player welfare amid sweltering temperatures across North America during this summer's tournament.
The stadium in Dallas was reported to be approximately 20 degrees celsius during the fixture, with Van Dijk arguing that hydration breaks ought to only be introduced when temperatures exceed a certain level.
UK broadcasters have not been airing adverts during the intervals, though the same cannot be said elsewhere. Indeed, during the USA's fixture against Paraguay, the fourth official was caught on camera waiting for the FIFA Broadcast Liaison to signal the resumption of play, as proceedings were held up by commercial breaks.
FIFA issued stringent guidelines to broadcasters regarding the intervals ahead of the tournament, yet FOX Sports in the US has already found itself in breach of them.
The rules state that the broadcast feed must return no later than 30 seconds before play recommences, however during the second half of the opening fixture between Mexico and South Korea, the FOX broadcast failed to return until 10 seconds after play had already resumed.
According to The Guardian, FIFA will not penalise FOX for their violation of the regulations, as the governing body is reported to have accepted their explanation. Critics have lambasted FIFA's decision to enforce hydration breaks, arguing it has fundamentally altered the nature of the sport and transformed a game of two halves into one of four quarters.
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