North America's World Cup: Hydration Breaks Killing Attacking Play

The group stage fixtures of the 2026 World Cup have revealed a surprising narrative: FIFA's three-minute hydration breaks are inadvertently sabotaging attacking flair. Designed for player welfare in the North American heat, these pauses fragment the flow of the game. In the opening round, the USMNT's high-press system was repeatedly disrupted, allowing opponents like Mexico to reorganize. Star players such as Christian Pulisic found their bursts neutralized as defenses reset. Even in the knockou...