“They’re no good”
Controversial drinking breaks at the World Cup: Star coach makes it clear
June 21, 2026 – 4:45 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
The tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico has a three-minute break in each half. Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa is not a fan of the innovation – and has clear words.
In the debate about the usefulness of drinking breaks at the Football World Cup Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa strongly criticized the new regulation. “They bring nothing and take a lot away from football. I just want to say that before this decision football had a certain character, now it has a different one,” various media such as “L’Équipe” quoted the Argentine as saying, who spoke of a “cultural change”.
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The model was introduced to reduce the burden on players and includes a three-minute break each half. However, critics complain that the breaks miss their original purpose and that protecting the players’ health takes a back seat. Instead, they were primarily used by the world association FIFA and the TV broadcasters to generate additional advertising revenue. Many trainers use interruptions for tactical instructions.
“We didn’t think about the consequences”
In addition, the mild temperatures in several games have so far made them unnecessary. “We weren’t thinking about the impact on sport, but rather a different kind of impact,” Bielsa continued, probably alluding to the immense profits made by television advertising during this period. “The conclusions I present are not my own. I hear them again and again and agree with them,” said the 70-year-old.
The British TV network ITV is expecting the most commercially successful football broadcast in its history. In Australia, the drinking breaks even have their own sponsor and are called “Maccas Match Break”, funded by McDonald’s.
The fans’ expressions of dissatisfaction in the stadiums because of the controversial drinking breaks at the Football World Cup however, are increasing. Boos and whistles can be heard again and again when the referee interrupts the game for 3 minutes after around 22 minutes in each half.
Many professionals are also critical of the breaks. “I’ve seen almost all the games to date. Every time we go to commercials – I don’t really like that. The drinking break is also a commercial break. That’s not my thing,” said Netherlands star Virgil van Dijk: “That’s not good for the neutral viewers in front of the TV either.” In extreme heat it makes sense to take a break to drink, “but in my opinion you have to look at each game individually.”
