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Uruguay's national team coach, Marcelo Bielsa, has voiced strong criticism regarding the hydration breaks implemented during the 2026 World Cup matches. Bielsa argued that these breaks, which effectively divide games into four periods, detract significantly from the sport's essence.

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No le agregan nada y le quitan mucho, cuando se dividió en cuatro (el partido), no se pensó en el fútbol, se pensó en otras repercusiones

"They add nothing and take away a lot," Bielsa stated at a press conference. He believes the decision to incorporate these breaks was not made with football's best interests in mind but rather due to "other repercussions." While hydration breaks are typically introduced to mitigate the effects of high temperatures, Bielsa observed that they are now a regular feature, irrespective of weather conditions, leading to speculation that they might be primarily for advertising purposes.

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Lo que sucedió en el segundo tiempo fue totalmente distinto. (...) Lo que hizo el equipo en el segundo tiempo podría haberlo hecho en el primero también

Beyond his critique of the tournament's structure, Bielsa addressed his team's performance and preparations. He expressed confidence that Uruguay would show improved intensity from the start of their next match against Cape Verde, contrasting it with a "sluggish" first half in their previous game. Bielsa also defended the team's choice of Playa del Carmen as their training base, despite the travel involved for their initial matches in the United States. He praised the facilities and the "generous" support from the staff, deeming it an ideal location for the team's needs.

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No podríamos imaginar un lugar mejor, no únicamente por las instalaciones, sino por la disponibilidad que tienen todos los que allí trabajan. Es un sitio muy generoso con nuestras necesidades