After the World Cup was expanded to 48 national teams, and some changes were introduced that some of the fans did not accept well, there is another news that could cause numerous reactions.
Namely, during the matches at the 2026 World Cup, short breaks will be introduced in the middle of each half. Although the official reason is to care for the players, these breaks also open up space for broadcasting advertisements.
Officially, these are the so-called “cooling breaks”, which should allow the players to have a short hydration and rest.
However, there is a clear television logic behind this decision. The break will last about three minutes, which leaves broadcasters with more than two minutes for commercials, with the rule that the broadcast must return at least 30 seconds before the game resumes.
FIFA is often the target of criticism for its heavy commercialization and pursuit of additional income, but in this case there is another dimension. The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and American broadcasters have for years advocated a model similar to sports like the NBA or NFL, where commercial breaks are a standard part of the broadcast.
All of this means that at the 2026 World Cup, a tournament we have never seen before could be waiting for us. From more national teams to new television formats and halftime breaks, the North American soccer spectacle will be much different than previous World Cups.
(Vijesti.ba)
