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Iker Casillas has backed FIFA’s controversial hydration breaks at the World Cup, even suggesting football could move to four 25-minute periods instead of two halves.
(Credit: X)
Few innovations at the FIFA World Cup 2026 have divided opinion quite like the introduction of mandatory hydration breaks.
While some see them as a necessary step to protect players battling soaring summer temperatures, others believe they are disrupting football’s rhythm and turning the sport into something it has never been.
Now, Spain legend Iker Casillas has entered the debate — and unlike many of the game’s biggest names, he appears in FIFA’s corner.
Casillas Floats A Radical Idea
The former Real Madrid and Spain goalkeeper took to X with a thought that would have sounded unthinkable just a few years ago: what if football embraced the stoppages permanently?
Seeing the hydration breaks that have become customary in games, don’t you think that doing 4 periods of 25 minutes would be a good idea in soccer matches? I’ll leave it there.— Iker Casillas (@IkerCasillas) June 30, 2026
“Seeing the hydration breaks that are already becoming customary in matches, don’t you think that doing four periods of 25 minutes would be a good idea in football games? Just putting it out there.”
While Casillas presented the suggestion casually, it immediately reignited debate over whether football should rethink its traditional two-half format.
A Debate That Refuses To Go Away
Hydration breaks were introduced at the World Cup as part of FIFA’s efforts to protect players from extreme heat, with mandatory stoppages midway through each half allowing teams to cool down and rehydrate.
FIFA has consistently defended the measure as a player welfare initiative, pointing to the challenging weather conditions across several host cities.
Not everyone has been convinced.
England manager Thomas Tuchel and Uruguay boss Marcelo Bielsa have both criticised the interruptions, arguing they break the natural flow and intensity of matches. Others have questioned whether the stoppages have become another commercial opportunity after FIFA confirmed broadcasters would be permitted to air advertisements during the breaks.
The growing frustration has even spilled into the stands, with fans at several matches audibly booing when play pauses.
About the Author
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His…Read More
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