Brazilian football icons Cafu, Roberto Carlos, and Bebeto are speaking out in favor of hydration breaks at the 2026 World Cup, despite criticism from European coaches.
The 2026 World Cup, being held in the United States, has brought not only high-level football excitement but also a controversy that has divided opinions: the mandatory hydration break. While big names in coaching, such as Lionel Scaloni, Marcelo Bielsa, and Thomas Tuchel, question the interruption, considering it disrupts the game’s flow, legendary figures from our Brazil national team view the measure differently.
For Cafu, Roberto Carlos, and Bebeto, the brief three-minute interval in each half of the game is not an obstacle to the spectacle but rather a necessary evolution. With temperatures rising in the North American host cities, the stars argue that player health should take precedence over any aesthetic or tactical debate.
The perspective of those who made history
The captain of the five-time champions, Cafu, was one of the most emphatic defenders of the change implemented by FIFA. For the former full-back, technology and extra time for hydration would have been valuable allies during his playing days.
“If I had access to this technology and hydration time back in my day, I would have had more energy and been more rested, managing to run more kilometers per game.”
Meanwhile, the legendary Roberto Carlos focuses on the tactical aspect of the interruption. The former left-back believes that the brief respite is actually a strategic opportunity for coaches to correct positioning, which was previously restricted only to halftime.
Experience from those who lived the American heat
Bebeto, who lifted the trophy in 1994, also on American soil, draws on past experience to validate the decision by the highest football governing body. According to him, facing the intense climatic conditions of the region requires caution.
“The break provides crucial rest and hydration for the athletes, which is fundamental in conditions of unbearable heat.”
The clash of opinions
The debate remains heated in the stands and on the sidelines. While FIFA maintains its stance that the measure ensures a fair and safe playing environment for all teams, some fans and renowned coaches protest against the fragmentation of time. Lionel Scaloni, for example, even sarcastically commented on the format, stating that the interruption creates a game with “four halves,” moving away from the classic fluidity of football.
The fact is that, regardless of the resistance from some, the hydration break has solidified itself as a hallmark of this edition of the World Cup. The sport continues to evolve, and the physical protection of the protagonists on the field, defended by our idols, seems to be the irreversible path to ensure that grit and talent prevail regardless of the temperature.
