UEFA will not implement the controversial World Cup innovation at Euro 2028
The Union of European Football Associations has officially rejected the use of mandatory three-minute breaks in each half, a rule that FIFA introduced for the 2026 World Cup.
The main reason for this decision is the union’s leadership’s belief that stoppages should occur only in the event of a real threat to the players’ health, rather than as a standard feature of every game.
FIFA’s decision at the current World Cup drew widespread criticism from fans and the soccer community due to the implementation of these breaks even in fully air-conditioned indoor stadiums or during cool evening matches. In addition, television networks began actively airing commercial advertisements during these breaks, which brought broadcasters hundreds of millions of dollars in additional revenue and sparked accusations that the innovation was driven purely by financial motives. Another argument against the reform was that team coaches were forced to take unplanned tactical timeouts, which significantly disrupt the natural pace and flow of soccer matches. Under current UEFA regulations, mandatory cooling breaks will be scheduled for Euro 2028 in the United Kingdom and Ireland only on a case-by-case basis — if special measuring devices record a temperature exceeding 32°C.
The international sports publication Yahoo Sports reported on the soccer organization’s official position.
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