World Cup 2026: Jürgen Klopp denounces hydration breaks

World Cup 2026 Today at 17:28

Nouya M'toama

News Editor

Jürgen Klopp, former Liverpool manager and German TV pundit, has strongly criticized the introduction of hydration breaks at the 2026 World Cup. According to him, these scheduled interruptions at the 25th and 70th minutes turn matches into a series of segments that disrupt the flow of the game.

Klopp believes that the hydration breaks, officially presented as a safety measure against the heat, are being overused and also serve the commercial interests of broadcasters. He denounces what he sees as a dangerous trend in modern football, where economic considerations are starting to outweigh the sporting experience.

For the German, football risks becoming nothing more than a platform for advertising. The breaks allow for more frequent commercial messages, which, in his view, takes the sport further away from its popular roots.

His comments have reignited debate among fans and pundits, who are already divided over rule changes in international competitions. Some believe these measures are necessary to protect players, while others share Klopp's concern about the fragmentation of the game.

The controversy adds to a World Cup already marked by demanding weather conditions and a tightly regulated organization, according to several analysts of modern European football.