Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk has expressed his views on the use of hydration breaks in football matches, saying he is not fully convinced they improve the flow of the game for players or fans.
Speaking after their first 2026 World Cup match, the Liverpool defender said he has been closely watching several games and feels the breaks interrupt the rhythm of play.
“I have been watching almost every game and I don’t really like the hydration breaks,” Van Dijk said. “And for the people watching on television it’s also not great.”
Hydration breaks are short stoppages in football matches, usually introduced when weather conditions are very hot, and players need to rehydrate.
They are commonly used in major international tournaments, including the World Cup, especially in host countries with high temperatures.
Van Dijk, however, believes the decision to introduce these breaks should depend on the specific conditions of each match rather than being applied too frequently.
“If it’s really hot, then obviously you need it, but you need to look at it game by game,” he added.
Van Dijk, one of the most influential defenders in world football, made it clear that while player safety remains important, he feels the current approach could be better managed to avoid unnecessary interruptions.
