World Cup 2026: Are hydration breaks here to stay?

World Cup 2026: Are hydration breaks here to stay?

FIFA has introduced mandatory hydration breaks for this World Cup, essentially splitting the games into four quarters. The mandatory three-minute drinks stoppage at all 104 games has been introduced to help players cope with the stifling heat and humidity levels in Mexico, Canada and the United States. It has been criticised for allowing coaches to make tactical changes while broadcasters can - and many have - opted to cut to lucrative commercial breaks while play is halted. It has attracted criticism from the likes of the Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk and USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino. FIFA says the measure "is part of a focused attempt to ensure the best possible conditions for players, drawing upon the experiences of previous tournaments, including the recent FIFA Club World Cup." Lee James is joined in Toronto by CBC's Olympic and Sports commentator, Matt Cullen, and BBC Football Tactics Correspondent, Umir Irfan, to discuss who benefits from a mid-half break in play - players or broadcasters? More than the Score brings you more than the men’s football World Cup - the new teams, standout stars, trends and fandoms shaping the tournament in ways the stats don’t show. With 48 teams competing across Mexico, the US and Canada, BBC World Service promises to take you deeper - from the group stages to the final. Search for More than the Score wherever you get your BBC podcasts.

World Cup 2026: Son Heung-min - South Korea’s football icon

South Korea's Son Heung-min is an icon and the captain of his national team, with the former Tottenham Hotspur forward holding the record for the most goals by an Asian player in both Premier League and UEFA Champions League history. Son tells Lee James it’s “crazy” and a “dream come true” to be playing in a fourth World Cup and is hoping the team can inspire the next generation. He also reflects on watching South Korea’s epic run at their home World Cup in 2002, as a child, and how crazy a time it was in the country, including getting days off school. Lee is also joined by David Oh from BBC News Korean who tells him that Son is the face of this generation of South Korean football and that he thinks he’s chasing the all time goal scoring record for the national team. More than the Score brings you more than the men’s football World Cup - the new teams, standout stars, trends and fandoms shaping the tournament in ways the stats don’t show. With 48 teams competing across Mexico, the US and Canada, BBC World Service promises to take you deeper - from the group stages to the final. Search for More than the Score wherever you get your BBC podcasts.

World Cup 2026: Iliman Ndiaye - Senegal’s goal is to win World Cup 2026

Senegal and Morocco are widely viewed as Africa’s strongest sides at this World Cup. The BBC’s Isaac Fanin is in Los Angeles, while Lee James and John Bennett are in New York; they reflect on being at Morocco’s opening game against Brazil, and on the recent Afcon final between the two sides. Isaac has also spoken at length to Senegal and Everton midfielder Iliman Ndiaye, who tells him the team “never fear anyone” and that their goal is to win the World Cup. Senegal open their campaign against France in a repeat of their epic encounter at the 2002 World Cup, and Ndiaye says El Hadji Diouf – one of the stars of the 2002 team - has spoken to them about that famous victory. More than the Score brings you more than the men’s football World Cup - the new teams, standout stars, trends and fandoms shaping the tournament in ways the stats don’t show. With 48 teams competing across Mexico, the US and Canada, BBC World Service promises to take you deeper - from the group stages to the final. Search for More than the Score wherever you get your BBC podcasts.

World Cup 2026: Iran face New Zealand after months of uncertainty

After months of uncertainty, and doubts over whether they would participate in the World Cup, Iran get under way against New Zealand in Los Angeles. The team has faced visa problems and had to relocate their base camp to Mexico. The BBC’s Mani Djazmi discusses the issues around the team and their participation with Shahin Rahmani, a former football journalist and editor in Iran, who for the last 20 years has attended several World Cups as a FIFA security officer and is regularly consulted by the Iranian football federation. Actor and comedian Maz Jobrani also tells Mani how the Iranian-American community in LA feels about the national team. More than the Score brings you more than the men’s football World Cup - the new teams, standout stars, trends and fandoms shaping the tournament in ways the stats don’t show. With 48 teams competing across Mexico, the US and Canada, BBC World Service promises to take you deeper - from the group stages to the final. Search for More than the Score wherever you get your BBC podcasts.

World Cup 2026: Mauricio Pochettino's USA join the party

More Than The Score joins football fans across the United States as the hosts record a comfortable win in their World Cup opener against Paraguay. The United States joined co-hosts Mexico and Canada in hosting their first match of the tournament, recording a comfortable 4-1 victory at the Los Angeles Stadium. Lee James joins a watch along in a New York bar, while Isaac Fanin gauged the reaction of fans in the host city. More than the Score brings you more than the men’s football World Cup - the new teams, standout stars, trends and fandoms shaping the tournament in ways the stats don’t show. With 48 teams competing across Mexico, the US and Canada, BBC World Service promises to take you deeper - from the group stages to the final. Search for More than the Score wherever you get your BBC podcasts.