Kristoffer Ajer explains why Brentford’s culture under Keith Andrews has powered their remarkable season, and reveals the dressing-room rule that keeps the squad together.
In this exclusive interview, Ajer opens up on Brentford’s “no ego” mentality, why the club’s transition after major summer changes worked so smoothly, and how the team keeps pushing despite talk of Europe. He also discusses Erling Haaland, Norway’s World Cup hopes, men’s mental health, becoming a father, his ABBA pre-match obsession, and the wild story of scoring 26 goals in one childhood game.
The opening week of the 2026 World Cup has been notable for the controversy created by the hydration breaks taken in the middle of matches. Every single one of the 104 games at the tournament will feature a hydration break after 22 minutes of each half.
Per FIFA regulations, these breaks must last three minutes each. The reasoning behind these breaks relates to the searing temperatures that are typically present in many venues across host countries, the United States, Canada and Mexico.
However, the breaks are mandatory and not based on any temperature readings inside stadiums. The first complaints regarding the breaks came in the opening game of the tournament, where fans were outraged that US broadcaster Fox cut to commercials during the hydration breaks in Mexico’s 2-0 victory against South Africa.
Critics claimed that the practice had broken FIFA rules about advertising being shown during matches. However, it is easy to see why Fox took the decision to air commercials after details emerged of the staggering sums they are earning for them during each match.
Hannah Mckay via Reuters
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk went viral on Sunday evening after making his feelings known on the enforced breaks during matches following the Netherlands’ 2-2 draw against Japan.
Van Dijk admitted that the hydration breaks were something he “didn’t really like”, arguing that their presence should be determined on a match-by-match basis:
“I think every time we go to commercials, it’s not really something that I like. I think for the neutral viewers on TV it is also not great. So if it is really hot, it would be good to put them in, but I think you have to look at every game separately, in my opinion. But I think I have said enough already on that.”
While Van Dijk was careful not to completely savage the practice for fear of angering officials, his former manager, Jurgen Klopp held absolutely nothing back with his opinion on the breaks.
In a damning rant, the 58-year-old accused executives of “holding football hostage”, branding the cooling breaks as “a gilded cage built for sponsors.”
How Much Fox is Set to Earn From World Cup Hydration Breaks
Kai Pfaffenbach via Reuters
To date, Fox has run full-screen advertisements during every hydration break stoppage throughout the World Cup. The broadcaster is aware of the criticism, but, per a source for the Sports Business Journal, they have vowed to “continue to go full screen”, although a tweak to a picture-in-picture approach “may still happen” before the end of the tournament.
Over the weekend, The Wall Street Journal confirmed that Fox was making a minimum of $200,000 for a 30-second commercial during the group stages. This rises considerably for games involving the USA, where that figure rises to $750,000.
Fox is likely to increase those prices as the tournament progresses. As a result, estimates suggest the broadcaster could make a massive $332.8 million if they can sell each of the eight, 30-second commercial slots for every game.
FIFA have confirmed that Fox will face no disciplinary action for airing the commercials, so long as they are strictly restricted to hydration breaks.
Arsenal could hijack Liverpool’s move for Yan Diomande this summer, as Sky Sports claims that the Gunners are showing interest in the Ivory Coast international.
It comes as the Gunners are tracking several wingers in the transfer market in the hopes of improving their forward ranks going into next season.
PSG’s Bradley Barcola has become a key target for Arsenal this summer, though there is uncertainty over whether the European champions will be willing to sell the Frenchman, even with his deal dwindling towards the final few years.
With that in mind, focus could soon switch to Diomande, who has already taken the World Cup by storm.
Arsenal Eye Yan Diomande Move
REUTERS/Mike Segar
As per the report from Sky Sports, Diomande is a player on Arsenal’s radar this summer as a potential option for the flanks, after an impressive campaign for RB Leipzig.
The 19-year-old has burst onto the scene in the Bundesliga, just one year on after he made the switch from Spanish side Leganes in the 2025 summer transfer window.
If Arsenal are to swoop in and get a deal done, that would be quite the hijack to land one of the most in-demand players on the market this summer.
There may be some risk involved in landing the youngster, who has such a small sample size in senior football, but it’s one that the Gunners could take.
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Diomande Is Perfect For Arsenal
REUTERS/Annegret Hilse
Given how recently he broke through as a superstar, there is naturally an element of risk surrounding Diomande, and a potentially inflated transfer price to go with it.
However, that can be justified by the talent he has already displayed, and the potential he has to take himself to a whole other level in the near future.
Typically, Bundesliga attackers haven’t translated well to the Premier League, Erling Haaland aside. But the World Cup is showing that the 19-year-old can compete with the very best.
Diomande managed to rinse Arsenal star Piero Hincapie on a few occasions in Ivory Coast’s win over Ecuador, showing the ability he has to wreak havoc on the opposition defenders.
His pace and trickery bring something that the Gunners could do with on the left, while he has the versatility to feature on the right should they wish to use him there too.
It would certainly be a risk, but one that Arsenal should be willing to take while they are working from a position of strength, while also impacting their rivals’ transfer business.
Manchester United are still on the lookout for midfielders in the summer transfer window, as Sky Sports Germany reports of a fresh option in the market for the Red Devils.
The central ranks remain an important area of change for Michael Carrick, with a clear need to add some more quality when in possession.
A fresh name has now joined the race for the Red Devils, but there is competition for his signature.
Man United Want Felix Nmecha
According to a report from Sky Sports Germany, Man United are in the mix to sign Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha this summer.
The 25-year-old has impressed since joining the Bundesliga outfit back in 2023, becoming a regular feature in the centre of the pitch across all competitions.
That has caught the eye of Man United, as well as a few of their rivals, as Manchester City and Real Madrid are also claimed to be in the race for his signature.
Any move this summer looks difficult, however, as Borussia Dortmund are intent on keeping the German international for at least another season of action.
His club hold a contract until 2030, and while he does have a release clause in the region of £60.5 million, that doesn’t become active until next summer at the earliest.
Any deal this summer is likely to eclipse that, due to Dortmund’s stance, but it would make for an ideal move to land a player who can make an impact in the here and now.
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How Good Is Felix Nmecha?
Nmecha is a target for several clubs for good reason, following a few consistent years of standout performances in the Bundesliga.
The 25-year-old came through the Manchester City academy, but made just three senior appearances before making a move to Wolfsburg.
It only took two seasons of consistent football in the Bundesliga for him to catch the eye, as Borussia Dortmund took their chance to try and develop their next big talent.
With that clear ability in his locker, and the potential to grow even further as he nears the peak years of his career, there is some hope that Man United could pounce on the mistake of their nearest and dearest rivals.
