Why World Cup matches pause for cooling breaks

Fans watching the World Cup have noticed a new feature, cooling breaks that stop play for about three minutes in each half. FIFA says the reason is player safety, not spectacle: the tournament is being played in the summer in the United States, Mexico and Canada, and some host cities are expected to face extreme heat and humidity.

Under FIFA’s plan, every match will include one three-minute break in each half, around the 22nd and 67th minutes, even in air-conditioned stadiums or in comfortable weather. The point is to standardize the competition and give players time to drink, cool down and reduce the risk of dehydration or heat-related injuries. The clock does not stop as it would in basketball, the lost time is added later as stoppage time.

The pauses also have a tactical effect, since coaches can use them to give instructions. That is why they can feel like a timeout to viewers. The article notes that innovative coaches such as Thomas Tuchel in England and Luis de la Fuente in Spain likely considered the tactical implications, and that after the group stage it may become clearer how teams adapt.

There is also a commercial debate around the change. Some critics argue that fixed stoppages create a convenient window for broadcasters and advertisers, but FIFA’s official explanation remains player welfare. The piece suggests that, given global warming, such breaks may eventually become standard in football, while technically matches will still be played in two halves.