FIFA has announced a new mandatory rule for the 2026 World Cup, confirming that a three-minute cooling break will be implemented midway through both the first and second halves of every match. This measure will be enforced regardless of the temperature or weather conditions on the day, prioritizing player welfare during the summer tournament hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

The three-minute period, which simplifies the practice used in previous tournaments like the 2025 Club World Cup, will see the referee pause play around the 22nd minute of each half. This universal application ensures equal conditions for all teams across all matches.

Manolo Zubiria, the Chief Tournament Officer for World Cup 2026, announced the initiative, stating that the consistency ensures that "wherever the game is played, whether it has a roof or whether it is high temperatures or not, there will be three minutes of cooling break in each half."

In addition to this health-focused measure, FIFA has finalized the complex schedule to minimize team and fan travel, maximize rest days between matches, and accommodate global audiences across different time zones. The tournament will feature three opening ceremonies and, for the first time, the 2026 Final in New Jersey will include a half-time show alongside the traditional closing ceremony.