WEATHER CHAOS: FIFA scraps hydration break as thunderstorms delays France vs Iraq clash
The ongoing debate surrounding FIFA’s controversial mandatory hydration breaks took a dramatic turn on Monday night during the World Cup clash between France and Iraq in Philadelphia.
For the first time in this summer’s North American tournament, the mid-half break was entirely scrapped in the second half following a massive two-hour weather delay.
Under FIFA’s new player welfare policy, three-minute hydration breaks are mandated midway through each half, regardless of the local temperature or weather conditions. However, the extreme weather forced football’s governing body to pivot, with a FIFA spokesperson confirming mid-match: “No hydration break in the second half.”
A “very long evening” in Philadelphia
The match, which kicked off at 17:00 local time, quickly turned into a test of mental endurance. Heavy rainfall and severe thunderstorms forced officials to halt proceedings at half-time. By the time the match finally concluded, the clock read 20:47.
French superstar Kylian Mbappe, who managed to score twice despite the chaos, described the ordeal as a “very long evening.”
“We spent a lot of time waiting,” Mbappe said post-match. “It’s emotionally and mentally draining because we had to stay fully focused and engaged in the dressing room. Staying in the dressing room for an hour and a half—almost two hours—while maintaining focus is very difficult. It demands a lot. The players made a huge effort, as did the staff.”
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When asked how the team killed time during the lengthy disruption, France head coach Didier Deschamps offered a lighthearted response before emphasizing player safety.
“We played cards,” Deschamps joked. “No, well, we were waiting. We had slots that kept being pushed forward again. I was actually having a good time with my players and having fun.”
He added more seriously: “It’s a question of safety. You cannot fight against the rain and lightning. It doesn’t annoy me. These are very special circumstances and I do hope they don’t happen again. It was important to take no risks.”
The hydration break controversy: Welfare or wealth?
The introduction of these mandatory timeouts has sparked fierce debate across the footballing world. While FIFA pitches the rule as a progressive step for player health, high-profile figures like Jurgen Klopp and Virgil van Dijk have openly criticized the breaks for disrupting the natural flow and rhythm of the game.
Furthermore, critics have pointed to massive financial underlying motives. According to data from Front Office Sports, broadcasters like Fox and Fox Sports are projected to rake in an additional $250 million (£188m) in commercial revenue purely from the advertisements aired during these three-minute intervals.
Mbappe’s pragmatic take on the rule
Speaking ahead of the match, Mbappe gave a remarkably candid perspective on why players’ views on the breaks are constantly shifting.
“Don’t ask us players for our opinion; we’re very reactionary. If tomorrow we’re dominating in the 25th minute and there’s a hydration break, we’ll be angry because it breaks our rhythm. But if the weather is hot, or we’re being dominated, I’ll be happy.”
As the tournament progresses, FIFA’s handling of the rule under extreme weather conditions will likely remain a central talking point for fans, managers, and TV executives alike.
