Virgil van Dijk has never been one to hold his tongue, and the Dutch captain just took aim at a new World Cup tradition that’s been dividing players and fans alike: mandatory hydration breaks with commercials.
Speaking after the Netherlands’ wild 2-2 draw with Japan, Van Dijk didn’t mince words when asked about the stoppages — one per half, complete with ad breaks beamed to TVs around the globe.
“I think every time going to commercials is a bit, not really something that I like,” the Liverpool star said. “I think for the neutral watchers on TV it is also not great.”
His main gripe? The one-size-fits-all approach. Van Dijk argued that the breaks should be evaluated on a game-by-game basis, not automatically plugged into every match regardless of conditions.
“If it is really hot it would be good to put them in, but I think you have to look at it in every game, separately, in my opinion,” he added, before cutting himself off: “I think I have said enough already on that.”
The Real Problem Isn’t Just the Water
Hydration breaks in soccer are nothing new — FIFA introduced them during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil to combat extreme heat and humidity. But the 2026 tournament has taken it a step further, making the breaks mandatory in every game regardless of temperature. And with mandatory breaks come mandatory commercials.
For TV viewers, that’s extra ad time during a sport that traditionally flows uninterrupted for 45 minutes. Fans on social media have noted that the breaks disrupt the rhythm of matches — though, in fairness, Tuesday’s Netherlands-Japan thriller wasn’t hurt by the stoppages. The game featured end-to-end action and ended in a deserved draw.
Only Sweden has secured a win in Group F so far, leaving Japan and the Netherlands tied for second and third, respectively. That makes every point — and every minute of flow — feel precious.
Van Dijk’s comments come as FIFA faces increasing scrutiny over player welfare, broadcast demands, and the delicate balance between safety and entertainment. While hydration breaks can protect athletes in extreme heat, the blanket policy risks feeling like a solution in search of a problem.
The debate isn’t going away. If more players speak up like Van Dijk, don’t be surprised if FIFA revisits the policy before the knockout rounds.
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