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ATLANTA — U.S. men's national team coach Mauricio Pochettino said he was "annoyed" by hydration breaks midway through each half, which his side experienced for the first time in a 5-2 defeat to Belgium on Saturday, March 28.
In December, FIFA announced that every 2026 World Cup game will feature three-minute hydration breaks midway through both halves.
The breaks aren't a new concept, but have previously only been used in games with excessive heat conditions.
That certainly was not the case on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which had its roof closed and air conditioning on to create an ideal climate-controlled environment.
In addition to player safety concerns, there are commercial implications with the new rule. Broadcasters will have the chance to sell advertising space during the breaks, which FIFA has said it will allow.
Pochettino said that the breaks, which essentially turn a game of two halves into one of four quarters, disrupt the rhythm of the game unnecessarily.
“To be honest I don’t like (them),” Pochettino said in his post-game press conference. “I don’t like it because I think you cut the rhythm of the game.
"I understand when you play in open stadiums, maybe yes, we need to care about the health of the players. But in this type of stadium when it’s 21, 22, 23 degrees (Celsius), I think it’s the perfect time and weather to play.
"It annoys me a little bit, but that’s the new rule that we need to accept.”
Pochettino's counterpart on the afternoon, Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia, had a different view.
“I like (them) because this is an opportunity for us coaches to speak with the team, to speak about strategy and plan," Garcia said.
He added: "It was very good and interesting to speak with the team during these breaks.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino slams hydration break rule
Continue reading...
In December, FIFA announced that every 2026 World Cup game will feature three-minute hydration breaks midway through both halves.
The breaks aren't a new concept, but have previously only been used in games with excessive heat conditions.
That certainly was not the case on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which had its roof closed and air conditioning on to create an ideal climate-controlled environment.
In addition to player safety concerns, there are commercial implications with the new rule. Broadcasters will have the chance to sell advertising space during the breaks, which FIFA has said it will allow.
Pochettino said that the breaks, which essentially turn a game of two halves into one of four quarters, disrupt the rhythm of the game unnecessarily.
“To be honest I don’t like (them),” Pochettino said in his post-game press conference. “I don’t like it because I think you cut the rhythm of the game.
"I understand when you play in open stadiums, maybe yes, we need to care about the health of the players. But in this type of stadium when it’s 21, 22, 23 degrees (Celsius), I think it’s the perfect time and weather to play.
"It annoys me a little bit, but that’s the new rule that we need to accept.”
Pochettino's counterpart on the afternoon, Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia, had a different view.
“I like (them) because this is an opportunity for us coaches to speak with the team, to speak about strategy and plan," Garcia said.
He added: "It was very good and interesting to speak with the team during these breaks.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino slams hydration break rule
Continue reading...
