Study: World Cup Fans Could Spend More Than 10 Hours Watching Hydration Breaks

DALLAS, Texas (TXAN 24) — Fans planning to watch every match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup could spend more than 10 hours watching hydration breaks alone, according to new research from Betway.

The study found viewers will watch a combined 624 minutes, or 10 hours and 24 minutes, of mandatory cooling breaks during the tournament’s 104 matches.

The breaks, which consist of two three-minute pauses per match, were introduced by FIFA to protect players from heat-related illnesses during high-temperature conditions.

With several World Cup host cities located in Texas and across North America, organizers are expected to continue emphasizing player safety throughout the tournament.

Researchers noted that the total time spent watching hydration breaks exceeds the length of a transatlantic flight from London to New York, the runtime of the Avatar film trilogy and even the time required to listen to every Beatles studio album.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico and is scheduled to be the largest World Cup in history.

Supporters of the breaks cite player welfare, while critics argue they can disrupt match momentum and alter competitive flow.