Gary Lineker has accused FIFA of turning mandatory hydration breaks into three-minute advertising interruptions, after Curacao’s historic equaliser against Germany was followed by a stoppage that drained their momentum and sparked a 7-1 thrashing.
Moments after Livano Comenencia had stunned the four‑time champions in Houston on Sunday, referee Michael Oliver halted play for the scheduled drinks break – even though the stadium roof was closed and the air conditioning was on. Curacao had been pinned back for 20 minutes, then scored, and were forcing Germany into errors. Then the whistle blew.
“Gary Lineker condemns World Cup hydration breaks as advertising breaks after Curacao's momentum was killed against Germany.”
When play resumed, Curacao’s energy evaporated. Nico Schlotterbeck restored Germany’s lead, Kai Havertz added a third from the penalty spot after Riechedly Bazoer tripped Felix Nmecha, and Jamal Musiala extended the scoreline. Substitutes Nathaniel Brown and Deniz Undav struck, before Havertz rounded off the rout with his second of the afternoon.
On the latest episode of The Rest Is Football on Netflix, Lineker said: "Three minutes of a hydration break, even when some of the stadiums have got air conditioning, they're cool, they've got lids on. Ten hours in 104 matches we've worked out will be used as hydration breaks or dare I say, advertising breaks."
FIFA introduced the three‑minute stoppages in every World Cup match regardless of temperature, with the breaks used by some broadcasters to run adverts. ITV, however, has chosen not to follow suit – a decision Lineker, who left the BBC last year, praised.
"I want to give, actually, ITV a pat on the back here, because I think they could have taken that option, I don't know, but they're not," he added. "So, you know, well done for not doing that, ITV, because I'm sure it would be tempting. Is it the corporate world that we're living in, in football now, the Americanisation of our sport, possibly?"
One fan posted on social media: "In a domed stadium, with climate control, 'hydration break.'" Another wrote: "Curacao's loss of momentum for example, for them after being pinned for the first 20 minutes, they scored and were forcing Germany into error and giving it a go. 'Hydration break' intervenes and Germany were collected post that. It's a sin."
The breaks have also drawn criticism from managers. Mauricio Pochettino, head coach of co‑hosts USA, said: "I don't like it. I only like it when the conditions are extreme. But when the conditions are good, it is unnecessary."
Yet some have found tactical advantage. Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti used the break midway through the first half against Morocco to gather his players and tweak the system. Six minutes after play resumed, Vinicius Jr cut inside and lashed a brilliant strike into the roof of the net to equalise. "You can explain a problem to the players," Ancelotti said. "Make a tactical adjustment that can be very good."
United States women's head coach Emma Hayes, speaking to ITV Sport, called them "momentum breaks." She said: "It's advantageous for the team losing momentum – that's why I call them momentum breaks. When you're on top, you don't want it; when you're losing, you do."
With 104 matches to go, the debate over whether the breaks are player welfare or a commercial interruption is far from settled.