Virgil van Dijk has questioned FIFA's decision to introduce mandatory hydration breaks in every match at the FIFA World Cup 2026. The Netherlands captain shared his views after his team's thrilling 2-2 draw against Japan in Group F on Sunday. While acknowledging that player welfare is important, Van Dijk suggested that hydration breaks should only be used when weather conditions genuinely require them rather than being automatically applied in every game.
Debate around hydration breaks
The debate around hydration breaks has become one of the talking points of the tournament. FIFA introduced one break in each half to help players cope with conditions during matches. However, some players and supporters believe the stoppages can interrupt the rhythm of games. Van Dijk joined that discussion after the Netherlands and Japan produced one of the most entertaining contests of the World Cup so far, ending in a dramatic draw that kept Group F wide open.
Van Dijk's stance
Virgil van Dijk believes hydration breaks should depend on match conditions. Speaking after the match, he explained that he is not completely opposed to hydration breaks but feels they should not be mandatory in every fixture. The Dutch defender said he had watched many World Cup matches and felt the regular stoppages often interrupted the flow of the game. He also suggested that television viewers may not enjoy frequent breaks, especially when they lead to commercial interruptions.
Van Dijk added that hydration breaks make sense when temperatures are extremely high and player safety is a concern. However, he believes officials should evaluate each match individually and decide whether a break is necessary based on the weather and playing conditions.
The match: Netherlands vs Japan
The discussion came after an exciting encounter between the Netherlands and Japan. The first half ended goalless despite the Dutch side dominating possession. Japan's defense remained organized throughout the opening 45 minutes, while goalkeeper Zion Suzuki produced several important saves to keep the score level.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 51st minute. Ryan Gravenberch delivered a long ball into the penalty area following a cleared free kick, and Van Dijk met it with a powerful header to give the Netherlands the lead.
Japan responded quickly through Keito Nakamura before Crysencio Summerville restored the Dutch advantage with a superb strike from outside the box. The Netherlands appeared to be heading for victory, but Japan pushed forward in the closing stages.
Their pressure paid off from a late corner kick. The goal was initially awarded to Koki Ogawa before being credited to Daichi Kamada after a deflection. The 2-2 draw left both teams with work to do in Group F, where victories against Sweden and Tunisia could prove crucial in the race for a place in the knockout rounds.
