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FIFA’s ability to use football as a connecting factor has never been more controversial than the public outrage over its decision to introduce half-time for all matches at the World Cup.
Fans, players, coaches, and everyone in between argued, argued, and challenged the decision that has been the main topic of the six-week tournament, and many other economic, political and financial problems.
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When FIFA revealed the rule in December, it was announced with a final opinion. Football’s world governing body said players should “benefit from a three-minute break in each half of the game as FIFA prioritizes the health of players”.
Do players like time off?
After just one week, it is clear that the players do not want to change, forcefully, and without negotiation.
Netherlands defender Virgil Van Dijk led the charge against the “fun” break.
“If it’s really hot, obviously it’s going to be good to put them in. But I think you have to look at each sport individually, in my opinion.”
Belgium’s Youri Tielemans seems to agree, saying that breaks can work both ways.
“In other cities it’s not that hot, maybe we shouldn’t be, but in the end, if you do this in other cities, do it to everyone.”
Tielemans’ comments are in line with FIFA’s views.
“There will be no weather or temperature, time-outs will be called by the referee in all games, to ensure that all teams are equal, in all games,” FIFA said last year.
Seasonally, very few games have met the criteria for a break so far, according to meteorologist Everton Fox.
“New York, California and Miami, as well as the stadiums in Mexico have been hot enough, but there is no need to take a breather in airy stadiums like Dallas, Houston, Atlanta or Vancouver,” the meteorologist told Al Jazeera.
“I know FIFA says they’ve done this in every game for consistency, but it’s hard to see it as another multi-million dollar US TV advertising business, if not billions, around the world.”
Hydration or breathing trade?
Many criticisms of the breaks have focused on the commercial value of the three-minute break.
A 30-second World Cup ad on Fox Sports costs between $200,000 and $300,000, and can reach $750,000 for games in the USA and other parts of the tournament, BBC Sport reported last week.
In the US alone, holiday advertising can generate more than $250 million, the report added.
Canadian right-back Alistair Johnston said what many have said around the world: “Maybe it’s making more money for FIFA.”
“The water break was a break,” the 28-year-old said this week ahead of Canada’s home game against Qatar on Thursday, which ended. 6-0 hit from the host country with two Qatari red cards.
While some broadcasters stuck with the feed featuring the players, others cut the ads, disrupting the viewing experience for fans watching on TV.
Viewers in the United States were frustration after broadcaster Fox pulled all commercials, and missed the action in the second half of Mexico vs South Africa’s opening match.
Momentum killers
From a sports perspective, some have argued that rest kills energy in the game.
World Cup players Curacao were dreaming when Livano Comenencia equalized for Germany in the group’s opener in the 21st minute, only for the referee to signal a late break, allowing Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann to rally his troops to a 7-1 win.
Other examples include Bosnia and Herzegovina losing power during a hydration break.
Since the group stage of the competition began on June 11, fans in packed stadiums and colleagues around the world have all protested the break.
Social media users have come to create AI-style videos that are not compatible with the rest of the world; England’s players enjoyed tea in a flower garden, while the US team enjoyed cooking with hot dogs and beer, and the Japanese players ate sushi.
However, not everyone is bothered by the lack of hydration.
“For me, it’s more of a training break than a break, so for me it’s very important,” said Belgium coach Rudi Garcia.
“Maybe if we’re in a good time, a good flow, maybe it can be a distraction, so we’ll see. But in the two friendly games we played … it was nice to give a lot to the team.”
France coach Didier Deschamps also said it was an opportunity to talk to his players and change a few things “before it starts again.” That’s four quarters of the time we got.
