Virgil van Dijk has spoken out against the introduction of hydration breaks at this summer's FIFA World Cup 2026, making clear his opposition to the measure ahead of the tournament.

The Netherlands captain joins a growing conversation around how the competition will be managed during the heat of a North American summer, with FIFA planning scheduled stoppages to allow players to drink during matches.

Van Dijk's comments signal that not all players welcome the change, raising questions about how the breaks will affect the flow and rhythm of games at the highest level of international football.