World Cup managers will be able to use laptops to give tactical instructions during water breaks, giving coaches a new in-game route to influence matches in 2026.
Mauricio Pochettino and other national team head coaches have been given approval to use laptops during World Cup water breaks, with the United States manager already making use of the approach.
FIFA has confirmed that every 2026 World Cup match will include one three-minute hydration break in each half, with the measure introduced as part of its player welfare planning.
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Pochettino used the first of two three-minute breaks during a friendly against Senegal to gather his players around a MacBook screen in the dugout.
The moment showed how the breaks can become more than a pause for fluids. They can also give coaches a short, structured period to deliver visual tactical information during a match.
Pochettino is leading the United States at the 2026 World Cup , making his use of the method especially relevant before the tournament begins.
The welfare purpose remains the central point. The World Cup will be played across Canada , Mexico and the United States, with different climates and conditions across the host cities.
Yet the ruling also changes the practical rhythm of games. Coaches can use the break to reinforce shape, show clips, and correct errors before half-time.
That does not turn football into a stop-start sport. It does mean teams who prepare their messages clearly could gain more from a pause that every side will receive.
The change is small in format, but important in detail. At the 2026 World Cup, water breaks will not only be about recovery. They will also be part of the tactical contest.
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