ELS: MBN360 SPORTS
Former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan has applauded FIFA for introducing mandatory hydration breaks at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, describing the initiative as a positive step towards protecting players’ health.
The measure, which was first introduced during the FIFA Club World Cup, is being implemented at this year’s tournament due to concerns over high temperatures. Although the initiative has received criticism from some players and coaches, Gyan believes it will help address the medical challenges footballers face during matches.
FIFA has introduced mandatory three-minute hydration breaks in each half of all World Cup matches. The breaks, which will apply to all 104 games, are scheduled to take place around the 22nd minute of each half, although they may begin earlier if there is an unrelated stoppage in play.
This marks the first time FIFA has made hydration breaks compulsory at a World Cup. In previous tournaments, such breaks were introduced only in selected matches based on temperature conditions or at the discretion of referees, particularly during injury stoppages.
FIFA said the extreme heat experienced during the 2025 Club World Cup in the United States influenced the decision, as the organisation seeks to create safer playing conditions for athletes.
Speaking in support of the new rule, Ghana’s all-time leading scorer said the focus should be on player welfare rather than how the breaks affect the flow of the game.
“Sometimes when things are going right for you, you might want that break, but what I’ve seen is about medical. Sometimes players go on the field, they become dehydrated and then they can fall down. So for me, I was thinking about the medical side,” Gyan said.
Despite the health reasons behind the decision, hydration breaks have faced opposition from some players, coaches and fans who argue that they interrupt the natural rhythm of football and make matches feel like they are divided into four quarters instead of two halves.
Read also:
- Ga Traditional Council orders closure of shops and markets for National Cleaning Exercise.
- Ghana Police rally public support for 2-day national cleaning exercise
- Day One of the National Clean-up Exercise in pictures
However, Gyan, popularly known in football circles as “Baby Jet,” disagrees with those criticisms, insisting that the health and safety of players should remain the priority.
“So for me, it’s a good thing. Sometimes it’s frustrating when maybe you are trailing by a goal and they stop the game and maybe you want to go fast, which I understand, but I’m thinking about the medical side,” he added.
Some fans have also expressed frustration, particularly when commercial advertisements are shown during the breaks, leading to concerns that the pauses may serve commercial interests rather than only player safety.
Meanwhile, some coaches have noted that hydration breaks can provide teams with opportunities to regroup, make tactical adjustments and change their approach during matches.
Coaches such as Carlo Ancelotti and Julian Nagelsmann have acknowledged that the breaks can benefit teams seeking to reset during games, although others believe they affect the traditional flow and culture of football.
Gyan maintained that the benefits outweigh the concerns, noting that players can use the breaks to recover and return to the game refreshed.
“When you’re taking some water, you can feel fresh to continue. At least the fans will be fans. They will be wishing all these things,” he said.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the first edition of the tournament to feature mandatory hydration breaks in every match as part of FIFA’s broader efforts to improve player welfare.
