Keith Hackett: My American contact has dropped £186m World Cup hydration break bombshell
Keith Hackett has been told by one source that the 2026 World Cup hydration breaks have earned US broadcaster FOX more than £186million in sponsorship money.
The hydration breaks have been a controversial introduction to the summer tournament, with players taking a three-minute break halfway through the first and second halves.
It has been claimed that this is due to player welfare as they are allowed a rest and a drink amid a hot summer in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
However, with many broadcasters taking advantage of this break to show commercials, a source has told Hackett that FOX has earned over £186m from sponsorship deals during these stoppages, sparking debate over whether this was implemented due to player welfare.
The hydration break is implemented in every World Cup game this summer, no matter the temperature or the conditions in the stadium.
Many critics have highlighted that it disrupts the flow of the game and can halt any momentum one side has.
Keith Hackett: We know what the water breaks in the World Cup are about
Criticism around the hydration breaks has only gotten louder as the tournament has progressed.
Fox had broken regulations in Mexico’s 2-1 victory over South Africa on the opening day, which resulted in the broadcaster returning to live action 10 seconds after play had resumed.
Now, Hackett has claimed that these hydration breaks are purely in the World Cup for commercial purposes, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Fox have made millions in sponsorship money.
He said: “Now we know what water breaks in the World Cup are about!
“Fox, the major TV producer, said they earned more than $250m (£186.19m) in sponsor money during the hydration break…
“An American contact sent me this info!”
How have the hydration breaks already affected the World Cup?
One of the most controversial uses of the hydration breaks has been when they have been implemented when one side is under heavy pressure.
Hackett had previously criticised the stoppage in Scotland’s 1-0 victory over Haiti, with Steve Clarke’s side being awarded a corner before the referee then blew his whistle to signal the break.
On top of this, nations are using the three minutes to implement tactical changes, which has led to multiple goals soon after the play has restarted.v
Therefore, it remains to be seen if FIFA will keep this rule for the 2030 World Cup as criticism continues to mount.