Cooling breaks spark debate after 2026 World Cup opener ad blunders | OneFootball

The 2026 World Cup, running from 11 June to 19 July, opened with new cooling breaks that were meant to protect players and aid broadcasters, but their debut already looks botched.

The Mexico v South Africa curtain-raiser offered the first live test. In the first break, United States rights holder Fox Sports ran five adverts and missed two minutes of action. In the second, referee Wilton Sampaio held the restart for about 40 seconds to wait for the channel, according to The Athletic, and play resumed while Fox was still in a commercial break.

FIFA has introduced stoppages at the 25th and 70th minute to help players cope with expected heat in the host nations. Broadcasters are required to be back on air 30 seconds before play restarts.

French viewers appeared to experience little beyond the contest being carved into four segments. In the United States the teething problems were clear.

American television is not used to carrying 45 minutes of sport without adverts, but such issues in the opener were striking. Neither FIFA nor Fox Sports has commented so far.

Source: Le Progres