Jurgen Klopp launches astonishing attack on World Cup rule that's 'taking football hostage'

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The 2026 World Cup hydration breaks have received a fair amount of criticism so far but Jurgen Klopp took the general distaste to a whole new level with a blistering rantJurgen Klopp has slammed the hydration break(Image: Getty Images)Jurgen Klopp has gone in two-footed on FIFA over the hydration breaks at this year’s World Cup, claiming they are nothing other than excuses to make more money.The stoppages occur at the halfway point of each 45, giving players three minutes to rest and drink in the grueling heat. This is typically uncommon during soccer, with coverage uninterrupted in both halves.In the very first game of the World Cup, FOX got too greedy and ran ads for so long that it missed crucial game action.

Adding the breaks are a "shield for player well-being, a noble sword against the heat," when in fact they are "nothing more than a gilded cage built for sponsors.""When I saw the players standing there during a heatwave break while the televised timeouts dictated the pace of the match, I couldn't help but wonder: who does the World Cup really serve?" he posed. Football used to be the main event, but now it risks becoming the background music for an advertising spectacle."He added, "The ball is supposed to be the star," and "football shouldn’t become an interruption between advertisements."FOX’s move to do so drew the ire of a Telemundo (USA’s Spanish broadcast network) reporter, who urged viewers to join their coverage instead."We DO NOT cut to commercials during the hydration break.

Join us for uninterrupted football on @Telemundo and @TelemundoSports," Alejandro Berry said.The hydration breaks have been slammedHe received a wave of support from his followers."Telemundo clears Fox, announcers are miles better (you don’t even need to understand Spanish tbh, it’s just better than listening to Fox commentary)," one replied."I couldn’t believe it when the game went on water breaks and no ads came on," another said."Thanks. "I can admit it was better than Fox nonsense with the ads," a fourth said.