When Diego Maradona warned the footballing world about hosting the World Cup in the USA and Mexico, few realised he predicted one of the most controversial features of this summer’s tournament.

The 2026 World Cup has been a polarising one thus far for several reasons, and there have been plenty of decisions that have frustrated fans. None more so than the introduction of hydration breaks, which FIFA brought in to keep players safe in humid conditions.

Back in the UK, a heatwave has had England supporters heading to their local supermarkets to buy fans and stock up on water. Temperatures of 30 degrees are the norm in the USA and Canada, but for players who spend their club seasons in Europe, it’s a major issue.

That said, the hydration breaks haven’t solely been focused on benefiting players’ welfare. The break in play has been a commercial tool for many countries outside the UK, a development Maradona foresaw when speaking eight years ago.

Maradona Ridiculed Hosting World Cup in North America

The late Maradona, who passed away in November 2020, hit out at FIFA’s decision to take the World Cup to the USA, Canada and Mexico. In a clip from an interview back in 2018, he reacted scathingly to the three nations being handed the tournament:

“There’s no passion. The Canadians may be good skiers, and the Americans wanted to have four periods of 25 [minutes] for the advertising.”

Looking back, Maradona’s dig at ‘four periods of 25 minutes of advertising’ holds true for the much-hated hydration breaks. Viewers outside of the UK are greeted by adverts which roll 20 seconds after the first hydration whistle and end just 30 seconds before the restart.

UK broadcasters BBC and ITV don’t turn to additional adverts; instead, they cut to their studios for mid-match comments from pundits. The US in particular breaks to cut to commercials, and experts believe advertising revenue generates more than £189m in America alone, per The Sun.

Some question whether the breaks are more about boosting commercial revenue than about factoring in player welfare. US television uses more ad breaks than the UK, and their timing differs: shows often lead straight into one another rather than taking a break as they do in the UK.

Maradona, who won the World Cup in 1986 in Mexico, also criticised the culture of North America and the country where he achieved glory: “Mexico doesn’t deserve it. The Mexicans come up against Brazil or Germany… and ‘boom,’ they’re out.”

FIFA raised suspicions about the rationale for hydration breaks after making three-minute stoppages mandatory for every match during the tournament. That even includes games played in air-conditioned stadiums or in mild temperatures.

What World Cup Managers Think

Nathan Ray Seebeck via Reuters

Hydration breaks are undoubtedly causing uproar among fans of the sport who aren’t fond of four breaks in play. For managers, though, it gives them the opportunity to gather their players and put tactics across, especially if they are losing.

Several goals were scored immediately after these breaks, although overall match momentum dropped 17 per cent on average during hydration breaks in the group stage. That’s why, unsurprisingly, there are a fair few coaches who have made their feelings clear over the feature.

England boss Thomas Tuchel isn’t a fan and feels they are a hindrance: “I think that it interrupts and changes the identity of a football match much more than I thought. Of course I had hydration breaks before when it was really, really hot and needed but they were shorter.”

Didier Deschamps echoed Maradona’s stance when speaking back in March. The France boss said: “It’s good for you, the broadcaster, to have the commercial break, but having those three minutes changes the game… No matter the team, if they’re on a roll, three minutes ruins everything.”

There have been instances when the breaks have benefitted a team, including Brazil in their 3-0 win over Haiti. Carlo Ancelotti alluded to this after the game: “We have a possibility for player recovery, and you can also put some adjustments on the game.”

FIFA president Gianni Infantino insists that the breaks are used only to keep players safe. When fans look back on the tournament in years to come, it’s fair to say that many will be reminded of the breaks rather than the events that unfolded on the pitch.

Arsenal will be looking at how they can further strengthen this summer as they look to defend their Premier League title and add more silverware to the trophy cabinet.

The Gunners ended a 22-year wait to be named English champions once again last season, but were also beaten in the Champions League and League Cup final.

Mikel Arteta’s side have been linked with a host of names already this summer, with a potential big-money deal for Aston Villa and England star Morgan Rogers one of the most talked about transfer rumours so far.

Midfield is certainly a position the Gunners are expected to target for strengthening this summer as they look to go again and it sounds as though they are looking to do business with another one of their Premier League counterparts this summer.

Arsenal make verbal offer for Bruno Guimaraes

According to The Athletic, Arsenal have seen a verbal offer “worth less than £60million” for Newcastle United favourite Bruno Guimaraes turned away by the Magpies, with the north east outfit’s current stance being that the Brazilian is not for sale.

It is yet to be seen if the Gunners increase their offer, but a report in the Athletic will allay some fans’ fears that they could lose Guimaraes if Arsenal increase their offer to a certain amount.

The report states: “Contrary to claims in Brazil that Guimaraes has a release clause of around £60million ($79.3million), Newcastle deny that any exit trigger exists in his contract.”

The Brazilian has been instrumental in Newcastle’s rise back to being regular contenders for Champions League qualification since his arrival from Lyon in January 2022. Over the past four-and-a-half seasons, the 28-year-old has made 195 appearances, scoring 31 goals and registering 32 assists.

Newcastle have already seen one star depart this summer with Anthony Gordon joining Barcelona for £69million ahead of the World Cup and are not looking to sanction any further exits for their best players.

Guimaraes could be tempted by Arsenal offer

Unlike the Alexander Isak situation last summer, Guimaraes doesn’t seem like the type of character to go on strike amid transfer interest from a bigger club. However, a potential move to Arsenal does make sense.

It feels as though a new era is beginning at Newcastle this summer after the Magpies struggled to a disappointing 12th-place finish, having qualified for the Champions League in two of the previous three seasons. They also lifted the Carabao Cup in 2025.

Although Guimaraes will be considered a Magpies legend, the opportunity to play for the reigning Premier League champions and compete for the biggest titles could tempt the midfielder if the Gunners do return with an improved offer.

Currently though, the 28-year-old is starring for Brazil at the World Cup, having started all four of their games so far, recording four assists. Without a doubt, the midfielder’s price tag will increase if his form at the tournament continues.

Tottenham are preparing for four key exits this summer, according to a report from Footballfancast, as the club look to raise funds in the market to aid their attempt at a squad rebuild.

The Lilywhites have already spent £52 million to secure Jan Paul van Hecke, alongside goalkeeper Martin Dubravka and the free agent signings of Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson.

There is further spending expected, with talks ongoing to sign Sandro Tonali for a fee that could reach up to £100 million, while a deal for Mateus Fernandes could be in the region of £80 million.

That’s before even looking at the forward line, and any possible arrival on the wings or at centre-forward to help improve the goal-scoring ability in the team.

Given the lack of Champions League football for next season, there may be some doubts over the financial capability of such moves.

So the answer for Tottenham will be to look at sales, with four exits likely to be sanctioned that could raise £150 million.

Tottenham Ready Potential Exits

Tottenham’s transfer business this summer is likely to be funded by some potential exits, with four stars sanctioned for a possible move elsewhere in the market.

The report from Footballfancast outlines that club captain Cristian Romero is among those ready to leave the Lilywhites this summer, with a £50 million price tag placed on him due to a release clause in his contract.

It would be no surprise to see the Argentinian centre-back make a move before the close of the transfer window. Tottenham’s reinforcements at the back, most namely Van Hecke and Senesi, certainly point towards those at the back being let go over the course of the market.

Romero continues to be linked with the likes of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, though as things stand, nothing is seemingly advanced over a move for the defender.

Following him could be Lucas Bergvall, who is also valued at £50 million. The Swedish midfielder has struggled to make himself a regular starter in the central ranks, despite the promise he has shown since the switch from Djurgardens.

Bergvall has seemingly asked Tottenham to leave already this summer, as he looks for a new challenge. His minutes could be impacted by the arrival of someone like Tonali or Fernandes, while Nottingham Forest are the team most heavily linked with a transfer.

Another exit could follow for Guglielmo Vicario, as Tottenham look to shake up their goalkeeping ranks over the course of the transfer market.

The Italian has looked far from convincing between the sticks, and with Antonin Kinsky likely to be the number one next season, a move is on the cards.

Tottenham are quoted as having a £20 million valuation set for a transfer.

Finally, Richarlison is quoted as the fourth player who could leave. £30 million is quoted as enough to let the Brazilian leave, following a mixed spell at Spurs so far.

It’s unclear where he could end up, with interest from the MLS and Saudi Arabia touted in recent months.

Who Else Could Leave Tottenham?

While those four players are seemingly lined up for an exit, they may not be the only players who are looking at a possible move this summer.

Radu Dragusin appears likely to move, given his difficulty getting consistent game time, mixed with the arrival of even more competition at the back.

Young left-back Souza only joined in January, but he now faces a battle against Destiny Udogie, Ben Davies, and Andy Robertson for a place in the team. A move, be it on loan or permanently, could be on the cards.

There are then decisions to be made over some of the younger players. Will there be a place for loanees Mikey Moore, Will Lankshear, or Jamie Donley? Only time will tell.

But it outlines just how much business Tottenham will need to get through before the market closes.