Van Dijk Becomes First Player to Speak Out Against World Cup Hydration Breaks

Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk has become the first player to publicly criticize FIFA's mandatory hydration breaks at the World Cup. His comments echo those made by Jürgen Klopp a few days prior, with the Liverpool manager suggesting these stoppages primarily serve to allow broadcasters to air lucrative advertisements.

Regardless of weather conditions, three-minute hydration breaks are implemented midway through each half of every match during the tournament.

“I’ve watched almost every game, and I’m not particularly fond of the hydration breaks when the commercials start playing. It’s not great for people watching on TV either. If it’s genuinely hot, then obviously there’s a need for such a break, but that should be assessed on a match-by-match basis. But I think I’ve said enough already…,” stated Van Dijk, who was awarded Player of the Match in the Netherlands' game against Japan.