Jurgen Klopp explains why he supports controversial World Cup hydration breaks despite criticism

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has surprisingly come out in support of the controversial hydration breaks being used at the 2026 World Cup.

While players, coaches and supporters have questioned the impact of the stoppages on the flow of matches, Klopp believes they provide important benefits for both participants and spectators during the tournament being held across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Klopp backs FIFA’s player welfare decision

FIFA introduced mandatory hydration breaks midway through each half to help players cope with the extreme summer temperatures experienced at several tournament venues.

The policy has divided opinion throughout the competition, but Klopp believes the breaks are justified given the challenging conditions.

Speaking about the measure, the German coach said:

“It’s really hot and it’s good for the players.

“Is it good for the coaches? Yeah, I would have loved it. Maybe it’s a little bit too much right now. It’s definitely too long because for drinking, you don’t need two and a half minutes or whatever. But that’s the thing.”

Klopp acknowledged that the duration of the stoppages may be excessive, but insisted the principle behind them remains sound.

Cheerleaders and toilet breaks

Never one to shy away from humour, Klopp also revealed that he has found unexpected entertainment during the interruptions.

The former Liverpool boss joked that spectators inside stadiums often get more value from the breaks than those watching at home.

“It’s got its use and when you are in the stadium, it’s OK because you get a little bit of a show – in Dallas with the cheerleaders, which I enjoyed on the big screen.

“It’s completely fine but I understand when you sit at home and then the commercials start.

“But being my age, it is a welcome break to go to the toilet!”

His comments offer a stark contrast to many figures within the game who believe the stoppages are harming the spectacle.

Tuchel unhappy with disruption

England manager Thomas Tuchel has been among the most vocal critics of the policy.

The German tactician believes the breaks significantly alter the rhythm and tactical nature of matches by effectively splitting contests into four separate periods.

Speaking after England’s recent World Cup fixtures, Tuchel said:

“I think that it interrupts and changes the identity of a football match much more than I thought.

“It breaks the match almost in four quarters. And I think it changes the characteristic of the match more than I thought.”

For coaches who rely on sustained pressure and momentum, the regular stoppages have become an additional challenge to manage.

Van Dijk calls for flexibility

Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk has also questioned the blanket application of the rule.

Rather than implementing hydration breaks in every fixture, the Liverpool defender believes conditions should be assessed on a match-by-match basis.

Van Dijk explained:

“If it’s really hot, obviously it would be good to put them in.

“But I think you have to look at it in every game separately, in my opinion.”

His comments reflect a growing belief that the system should be tailored to local weather conditions rather than applied universally across the tournament.

Debate set to continue

With temperatures expected to remain high throughout the knockout stages, hydration breaks are likely to remain a prominent feature of the 2026 World Cup.

While critics argue they disrupt momentum and encourage excessive commercial interruptions, supporters such as Klopp view them as a necessary safeguard for player welfare.

As FIFA continues to balance sporting integrity with athlete protection, the debate surrounding one of the tournament’s most controversial innovations appears far from over.