World Cup 2026: Jurgen Klopp talks about World Cup hydration breaks!
One of the basic rules in the current World Cup is the rest period that players take during matches to drink water, taking into account the high temperatures in some American and Mexican cities for the players.
There has been a lot of criticism about these three minutes that FIFA gives players to drink water, as some critics and players also believe that these three minutes disrupt the flow and smoothness of the matches.
think hydration breaks are really interesting. I was obviously watching almost all of the games up until today. I think every time we go to commercials, it's not really something that I like.
For the neutral viewers on TV, it is also not great. So if it is really hot, it would be good to put them in, but I think you have to look at every game separately, in my opinion. But I think I have said enough already on that.
Virgil van Dijk criticized the hydration period.
I had hydration breaks before when it was really, really hot and needed, but they were shorter, They were shorter and they were just in a few matches. In the interests of fairness here, it is now done in every match for every team, It breaks the match almost in four quarters. And I think it changes the characteristic of the match more than I thought.
Virgil van Dijk added.
Jürgen Klopp also gives his opinion on the hydration break!
Jürgen Klopp, who has been serving as a pundit for German television during the World Cup, has shared his thoughts on the tournament’s cooling breaks, admitting that as a former manager, he would have welcomed them.
Speaking about the impact of the heat on players and coaches, Klopp offered a characteristically candid take.
“It’s really hot and it’s good for the players. Is it good for the coaches? Yeah, I would have loved it. Maybe it’s a little bit too much right now. It’s definitely too long because, for drinking, you don’t need two and a half minutes or whatever.
“But that’s the thing. It’s got its use, and when you are in the stadium, it’s OK because you get a little bit of a show — in Dallas with the cheerleaders, which I enjoyed on the big screen.
“It’s completely fine, but I understand when you sit at home and then the commercials start… but being my age, it is a welcome break to go to the toilet!”
Klopp’s remarks reflect the mixed feelings among fans and professionals alike. While the breaks are seen as necessary for player welfare, their length and impact on the viewing experience continue to draw debate. For Klopp, however, they appear to have found an unexpected fan.