FIFA faces pushback on 2026 World Cup hydration breaks amid Spanish team media tour in Mexico

FIFA's plan to introduce mandatory hydration pauses during the 2026 World Cup has been criticised by a sports‑medicine specialist, who argues that professional footballers are already well‑trained, hydrated and medically supported, making such breaks unnecessary and potentially disruptive to the flow of the game.

At the same time, Ramón Bilbao, an official collaborator of the Spanish Football Federation, led a group of journalists and content creators on a cultural and culinary visit to Guadalajara and Tlaquepaque, Mexico, before Spain's match at Estadio Akron, showcasing how the tournament experience extends beyond the stadium.