Every time the World Cup rolls around, it feels like there are some new rules involved.
In 2014 it was the advent of goal line technology, in 2018, it was the addition of VAR, and now, in 2026, we’re seeing new rules around hydration breaks and communication – covering your mouth when talking is now banned.
Of course, these rule changes can affect the game, and one team in particular may be able to benefit from the addition of hydration breaks.
Indeed, according to Joe Cole, speaking on The Rest is Football on Netflix, the new hydration breaks may help Brazil win the World Cup.
How hydration breaks can help Brazil win the World Cup
Joe Cole believes Brazil will win the World Cup due to the new hydration breaks giving Carlo Ancelotti more of a chance to communicate with his team.
Over a managerial career spanning four decades, Carlo Ancelotti has proven to be one of the best tacticians of all-time, and these extra breaks provide him more of a chance to affect change on his team.
“I’ve tipped Brazil, because of Carlo. With the hydration/advertisement breaks we’ve got,” Cole said.
“The top coaches, the amount of times in a game it’s not going the way you want it to. The manager can be on the side, no matter how good they are, you have to figure it out as a group of players.
“You think ‘sh-t’ we need the game to stop now, and the manager will come and tell you ‘you do that, you do that, you do better at that’ and the game changes. That will happen at this World Cup, the best managers.”
Of course, players are important, but tactics are also key, and if you have a manager who can outwit his opposite number, you stand a great chance.
With all due respect to every international manager, Carlo Ancelotti is the most highly-decorated manager at the World Cup, and that could well sway things in Brazil’s favour.
