Maradona's 2018 prediction about 'four periods' at the World Cup resurfaces
Diego Maradona's 2018 criticism of the 2026 World Cup format has gone viral due to mandatory hydration breaks splitting matches into four segments.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Public domain / Author: Carlo Fumagalli
A statement made eight years ago by Argentine icon Diego Maradona has gained renewed attention during the 2026 World Cup. In a 2018 interview with a Venezuelan TV station, the legend criticized the choice of hosts for the 2026 tournament, claiming that the matches would be split into "four periods" to cater to commercial interests and advertising.
At the time, Maradona expressed his disapproval of the bidding process, suggesting that the format might be compromised by market influences. "The Americans wanted to have four periods of 25 minutes for commercials. I didn't like that," the Argentine said, reflecting his concern that the passion of the game would be overshadowed by business requirements.
The comments have resurfaced on social media because the 2026 World Cup now effectively features four periods of play in every match. Due to extreme heat in North America, FIFA has implemented mandatory three-minute hydration breaks in each half, which, in practice, divide the 90-minute matches into four distinct segments.
While these breaks are officially intended to preserve player health and safety, they have sparked ongoing debates among coaches, players, and pundits. Critics argue that the stoppages disrupt the rhythm of the game and provide extra time for tactical coaching instructions, while others defend the measure as essential for player welfare.