FIFA break protocol with last-minute World Cup U-turn

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Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

FIFA made the decision to cancel the second-half hydration break during France’s 3-0 win over Iraq on Monday due to severe weather conditions.

Didier Deschamps’ side secured qualification for the round of 32 thanks to a brace from captain Kylian Mbappe and a second-half strike from Ousmane Dembele, although the match was heavily disrupted by thunder and lightning.

The first-half ended with no disruption, other than some heavy rain, but the start of the second-half was delayed by over two hours as a result of lightning activity.

Spectators were told to 'exit the open seating areas' of the Philadelphia Stadium due to the adverse weather, while both squads were forced to remain in their dressing rooms for more than two hours while they waited for the lightning to end.

A similar scenario happened during Chelsea’s win over Benfica at the Club World Cup last summer, and the incident forced FIFA to break protocol in regards to the mandatory hydration breaks.

FIFA cancel first hydration break at 2026 World Cup

Last December, FIFA announced that all 104 matches at the 2026 World Cup would feature two three-minute hydration breaks in a bid to combat the high temperatures in North America.

However, fans, players and pundits have all criticised FIFA’s decision to make the hydration breaks mandatory, with pauses in the action still happening in air conditioned stadiums.

But, FIFA finally broke protocol and cancelled the hydration break during France’s win over Iraq, with a spokesperson simply saying: “No hydration break in the second half.” No official reason was given, although it’s safe to assume that it was down to the lengthy delay that prevented the second-half from starting on schedule.

Despite this incident, FIFA aren’t expected to make cancelling hydration breaks a regular occurrence and will likely only do so again in similar circumstances.

France boss Deschamps is one of only a handful of people who are supporters of the World Cup hydration break, admitting to reporters ahead of Les Bleus’ win over Senegal: “These hydration breaks for three minutes, you can get the players close to you and this gives you an opportunity to adjust a couple of things as regards the 22-23 mins of game that just took place.

“With the high temperatures, it's important to be able to give this extra opportunity, two opportunities to the head coach. It's a good thing -- this is a fact, but it leads us to split the game and if you're in a strong position, following this break you have to start playing again. But we adapt to this, even in our prep work we've anticipated this.”