FIFA’s newly introduced hydration breaks came under fire on Wednesday as fans at multiple World Cup matches in the United States and Canada voiced their displeasure with loud boos.
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Supporters at Dallas Stadium jeered when referee Clement Turpin halted England’s Group L match against Croatia for a three-minute break in the 22nd minute. Similar scenes played out in Toronto during Ghana’s clash with Panama, despite cool and rainy conditions.
The reaction followed similar boos during Norway’s 4-1 victory over Iraq in Boston on Tuesday, where temperatures were a relatively mild 23°C.
The mandatory breaks, one in each half, were introduced for the first time at the 2026 World Cup to help players cope with the heat and humidity of the North American summer.
However, critics argue the stoppages disrupt the flow of the game and have questioned whether they provide broadcasters with additional advertising opportunities.
Panama coach Thomas Christiansen suggested television interests were behind the move after his side’s 1-0 defeat to Ghana.
“If you (have) a break, it’s to do corrections,” he said. “It was not hot, but we have to accept that the advertisers (on) television is what’s paying for all these things.”
England fans had earlier pledged on social media to protest against the breaks, and both English and Croatian supporters joined in the booing when play was stopped.
In Boston, Iraq were level at 0-0 against Norway before the first-half break, but conceded four minutes after play resumed and eventually lost 4-1.
The hydration breaks have become one of the more contentious innovations at the World Cup, with fans and some coaches questioning whether they are necessary under cooler conditions.