Read 3 minutes23 Jun 2026 05:19 PM IST
England manager Thomas Tuchel has expressed dismay at the use of hydration breaks at the ongoing World Cup, arguing that they are altering the natural rhythm and flow of matches more than initially expected.
Speaking ahead of England’s second Group L match against Ghana in Boston on Tuesday night, Tuchel said the interruptions – introduced to help players cope with excessive heat in certain areas – were now being applied uniformly in all matches regardless of the actual conditions. Forecasts for the upcoming game suggest rain and relatively mild temperatures, although the suspension is still expected to be enforced.
“I think it disrupts and changes the identity of the game of football a lot more than I thought,” Tuchel said.
“I’ve had hydration breaks before when it was really, really hot and necessary, but they were short. They were short, and they were only in a few games. In the interest of fairness here, it’s now done every game for every team,” he added.
The 52-year-old argued that momentum is one of football’s defining characteristics and that stoppages fundamentally change the structure of matches, creating multiple pauses where pressure and rhythm will naturally develop.
“It almost breaks the game down into four quarters. And I think that changes the character of the game more in my opinion,” he said.
“It’s hard to build momentum, and it’s hard to maintain momentum when there’s a break.”
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While Tuchel is unsure of the impact the breaks are having on the spectacle, he admits there are benefits from a coaching perspective. Stoppages give managers the opportunity to relay instructions, make tactical adjustments and regroup players during matches.
“I like that as a coach, of course, because it’s good to make an impact and have my team together,” he said.
Yet the former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager said those benefits come at a price, arguing that the game is at its best when competitions continue to unfold without outside interference.
“Overall, though, I think I like football more when it’s played simultaneously in halves because it creates a momentum. It’s part of the game,” Tuchel said.
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“If you don’t have a break, it’s like a battle on the field between players and teams. It plays out over a longer period of time. It just adds to the beauty of the game.”