At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will take place in North America, FIFA has introduced mandatory three-minute water breaks that will be implemented in each of the 104 matches of the tournament. This decision is aimed at protecting the health of players in high temperatures.
Unlike previous tournaments, where such breaks were only applied in cases of extreme heat, they will now be mandatory for all matches. Broadcasters will be able to use split-screen to show advertisements from FIFA's official sponsors or switch to full commercials, adhering to the established time frames.
The World Cup will kick off on June 11 in Mexico City and conclude with the final match on July 19 in New York. Special attention will be given to matches in Group L, where the England national team will compete against the teams from Croatia, Ghana, and Panama. This innovation will allow FIFA not only to care for the health of athletes but also to enhance the monetization of broadcasts by establishing uniform standards for all advertising displays during the tournament.
