I actually thing ITV missed a massive commercial opportunity. The powers that be at ITV should be lined up and shotWe've criticised the yanks for advertising breaks, ITV are using the hydration break to advertise their competition.
I would've thought it's up to ITV whether they have advert breaks or not@Big Cat Fox set to rake in $250 million for hydration break adverts.
They 'only' paid just under $500 million for the rights.
FIFA will have seen that and will be negotiating a cut next time.
Can we please stop saying “the Yanks” did this? It was a FIFA decision, and I can assure you American football/soccer fans hate the breaks as much as everyone else.We've criticised the yanks for advertising breaks, ITV are using the hydration break to advertise their competition.
It was a FIFA decision, but do you really don't think they were leaned on by someone? From what understand FIFA aren't making any money out of the breaks, but some companies certainly will be which makes me suggest an element of lobbying went on.Can we please stop saying “the Yanks” did this? It was a FIFA decision, and I can assure you American football/soccer fans hate the breaks as much as everyone else.
Sure, if it’s 32-35 C have them. But until this week (and obviously in domes), they aren’t necessary.
Isn't just the US, I was on holiday last week so watched most of the games on BeIN Sports and they broke to adverts. I'm actually amazed ITV haven't, some advertising executive has probably already received his P45.There are two issues
1) Clearly the hydration breaks were brought in to allow for commercial breaks on US TV
2) More importantly, just like they did with VAR, FIFA lied to us about their intention and motivation. I think if FIFA didn't treat us like idiots, we might be more accepting of their initiatives
Isn't just the US, I was on holiday last week so watched most of the games on BeIN Sports and they broke to adverts. I'm actually amazed ITV haven't, some advertising executive has probably already received his P45.
This is fast becoming my favourite post of the WC2026 forum for me, especially point 2.There are two issues
1) Clearly the hydration breaks were brought in to allow for commercial breaks on US TV
2) More importantly, just like they did with VAR, FIFA lied to us about their intention and motivation. I think if FIFA didn't treat us like idiots, we might be more accepting of their initiatives
Balogate has cemented point 2This is fast becoming my favourite post of the WC2026 forum for me, especially point 2.
There are two issues
1) Clearly the hydration breaks were brought in to allow for commercial breaks on US TV
2) More importantly, just like they did with VAR, FIFA lied to us about their intention and motivation. I think if FIFA didn't treat us like idiots, we might be more accepting of their initiatives
Well, if you insist!blame the Americans for everything bad about the game
Well, that's all too complicated for me, so I'll crack on blaming America out of ignorance. Much easier that wayPoint 1 ignores what happened in the U.S. with video rights for this cup. Fox got the video rights for this cup as a result of a brochure of the contract in the last cup when FIFA moved the schedule after the contract with Fox was signed. The new schedule was much less favorable to Fox because of other sports. Rather than renegotiate the price, FIFA sold Fox the rights to this cup. They later realize that Fox grossly underpaid for the rights for this cup and tried to renege on the contract, but were unable to and were unable to convince Fox to renegotiate, as Fox had a great deal for Fox. So the assumption that Fox gift Fox commercial time they hadn’t negotiated doesn’t make sense. It’s a great narrative to blame the Americans for everything bad about the game, but there just isn’t any logic here. (And I hate no love for Fox and loathe the necessary breaks.)

Tbf, having read the majority of that post, the bit you quoted is one of the only bits that makes any senseWell, if you insist!

I didn't expect to watch much of it. Had me grumpy head on (not unusual for me) when the tournament kicked off thinking it's morally wrong to watch that FIFA cr4pWho cares anyway?
And more to the point - there's nee footy on the telly the neet so what we all ganna talk aboot the morra?![]()
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Interesting - I started with no interest in the overblown competition and haven't watched any of the games. Looking forward to 2026/7.I didn't expect to watch much of it. Had me grumpy head on (not unusual for me) when the tournament kicked off thinking it's morally wrong to watch that FIFA cr4p
Turns out I've watched a lot. I was nae keen on having a German in charge of wore team but I was impressed by 'Escape from Aztrecalatraz'
21:04 and no footy on the box. Might av to talk to the missus![]()