The beautiful game is beautiful no more. With the 2026 World Cup set to get underway this summer, FIFA will reportedly allow broadcasters to cut away to commercials during “hydration breaks” in matches, according to The Athletic.
The move comes after soccer’s global governing body announced the introduction of three-minute hydration breaks midway through each 45-minute half at the World Cup for the sake of “player welfare.” This will mark the first time that such breaks will be implemented at a major soccer tournament, essentially turning two traditional halves into four quarters.
