It’s tempting to view the drinks breaks at World Cup 2026 as FIFA leaning into the Americanised, ad-heavy coverage of sport.
But with high temperatures expected at this summer’s tournament, which will also involve more games than any of its predecessors, they are likely to be a godsend for the players.
Mid-match drinks breaks are by no means a new phenomenon, but the tournament-wide rollout for World Cup 2026 is a change to the usual approach.
Where previously, temperatures would have to rise above 32 degrees for the referee to allow a drinks break, they will feature in every single match in Canada, Mexico, and the United States this summer.
But how long are they? And why have they been introduced?
Radio Times is here to bring you everything you need to know about drinks breaks at World Cup 2026.
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How long are drinks breaks at World Cup 2026?
All 104 matches at World Cup 2026 will feature three-minute hydration breaks in each half.
The referee will stop the game at 22 minutes and 67 minutes, for a three-minute break, with stoppage time set to be adjusted as a result.
The official will have the freedom to start the break earlier if there is a stoppage in play due to an injury or another issue.
While previously, drinks breaks were contingent on specific temperature (above 32 degrees) and weather conditions, these do not apply at this summer’s World Cup “to ensure equal conditions for all teams, in all matches”.
According to FIFA, the changes have been made to prioritise player welfare.
Will there be adverts during drinks breaks at World Cup 2026?
No, there are not expected to be adverts during drinks breaks for UK viewers.
As a public service broadcaster, the BBC does not show adverts, while reports suggest ITV will not be showing adverts during the drinks breaks either.
Though FIFA has given its broadcast partners permission to air adverts during this period but ITV will not take advantage of that – with no plans to go to an advert break or show picture-in-picture ads, which were trialled in the Six Nations.
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Will we see drinks breaks in the Premier League?
There are no indications that we will see the Premier League or the rest of English football adopt the drinks breaks rules that are in place at World Cup 2026.
Instead, the current rules based on specific temperature and weather conditions are likely to remain in place.
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Authors
Ned is a sports writer at RadioTimes.com. He has covered a host of sports from EFL football, international cricket and golf all the way through to bike polo and triathlon.
