Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa has launched a sharp critique of the hydration breaks introduced at the 2026 World Cup, arguing they add nothing to the game while fundamentally altering what football has always represented culturally.
FIFA introduced three-minute breaks in each half at the halfway point of matches, citing the sweltering temperatures across host cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The decision has divided opinion among coaches and players, with critics arguing the stoppages effectively split matches into four quarters and serve primarily as commercial breaks for broadcasters.
Bielsa was unambiguous in his view. “Playing four times instead of two alters the conception of what had been culturally built to interpret football. This change of culture does not add anything and takes away a lot. Before this decision, football had a characteristic. Now it has another. People fall in love with the game because of its characteristics.”
He was careful to distinguish the breaks from other rule changes. “Technology like VAR, we commend and value it. Technology offers more opportunities. There is another intention for the breaks and the conclusions I am making here are not really my own. I also echo what I hear.”
Bielsa also addressed Uruguay’s performance in their opening 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia, where they struggled to create chances despite dominating possession. Darwin Nunez was particularly disappointing, managing only one shot before being substituted at half-time. The striker has not scored in his last 14 appearances for Uruguay and appears likely to be dropped against Cape Verde on Sunday, though Bielsa rejected any suggestion of a confidence problem.
“Any footballer taking part at the World Cup doesn’t need any motivation,” he said. “The consequences, the scope, the magnificence of such a high-calibre tournament makes anyone taking part highly driven and justifiably so.”
With all four teams in Group H level on one point, Sunday’s match against Cape Verde carries considerable weight. Bielsa said Uruguay would adjust their approach after coming up against Saudi Arabia’s low defensive block, noting the second half had shown greater dynamism and mobility than the first.
On a lighter note, Bielsa dismissed any suggestion his players might emulate Spain’s Marc Cucurella, who has vowed to get a tattoo of coach Luis de la Fuente if they win the World Cup. “This is not going to happen,” he said, to laughter from the room.
