According to The Daily Telegraph, UEFA has decided not to enforce mandatory water breaks during the 2028 UEFA European Football Championship.

During the most recent FIFA World Cup, FIFA implemented two water breaks of 3 minutes each per match, one per half, citing player health and safety—particularly to protect players in the high temperatures at some North American venues.

However, the rule has faced widespread criticism from players, coaches, and fans since its introduction. Opponents argue that water breaks not only disrupt the flow of play but also potentially add advertising time for broadcasters.

When asked whether Euro 2028 would follow FIFA World Cup guidelines, a UEFA spokesperson clearly stated to The Daily Telegraph that there are currently no such plans.

Under UEFA's current regulations, water breaks are mandatory only when stadium temperatures exceed 32 degrees Celsius. This situation is expected to occur infrequently at Euro 2028, which will be held in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Euro 2028 will be jointly hosted by England, Scotland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland, with Northern Ireland having withdrawn from the co-hosting arrangement earlier.

During the most recent FIFA World Cup, water breaks in multiple matches frustrated attending fans.

For example, in England's 4-2 victory over Croatia, when referee Turpin stopped the game for a water break in the 22nd minute, fans from both sides booed loudly. Notably, the venue, Dallas Stadium, is an air-conditioned facility.

A similar situation occurred during Norway's match against Iraq, when the temperature at Gillette Stadium in Boston was only 23 degrees Celsius, yet the water break rule was still enforced.

Marcelo Bielsa, coach of the Uruguay national team, recently expressed public concern: "With the new rule, there are more goals and so what. The general view is that changing the game from two halves to four halves has long altered how people understand football."

"In my opinion, this rule adds nothing except significant loss."

Bielsa believes football's appeal lies in its traditional nature, and frequent interruptions could alter the sport's essence.

"Before this decision was made, nobody seriously considered how it would affect football's appeal. What I want to say is that football once had a certain quality, and now it has become something else. People love football because of the qualities it originally possessed."

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