When the group stage match between England and Ghana was put on hold for at “hydration break” after 22 minutes, loud boos rang out from the stands of Boston Stadium. The players trudged to the sidelines, and the coaches gathered their teams around them for brief tactical instructions. Just a few days into the World Cup, it had already become clear; no change is polarizing the fans quite like these mandatory interruptions in play.

“As a coach, I would have loved it,” Jürgen Klopp told DW. A few extra minutes for tactical instructions give a team a clear advantage.

However, the former Liverpool and Dortmund manager also voiced criticism.

“There is a problem with the length of the water breaks and what TV broadcasters or FIFA do during them.”

From heat protection to a bone of contention

The rule was introduced officially to help players cope with the summer heat. Matches at this World Cup are stopped twice in addition to the halftime break, at around the 22nd and 67th minutes. Unlike in previous major tournaments or league games, the decision to call a water break isn’t based on how hot it is, although the idea of introducing them came up during last summer’s Club World Cup, when extremely high temperatures were a problem.

At this World Cup, though, the hydration break has become a major bone of contention.

“I don’t like this water break,” an Iraq fan told DW in Philadelphia.

“If the players really need a drink, they should just do it before taking a corner kick.”

On the sidelines of the match between Argentina and Austria, another fan pointed to the fact that it was being played in a covered stadium in Dallas: “The air conditioning is running here, so where is the heat?”

Not just a water break

It is primarily the impact on the game that is sparking debate. In many cases, what was meant to be a brief opportunity to hydrate has turned into a tactical timeout. Coaches adjust formations, give instructions to players, and disrupt the opponent’s rhythm.

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“On one hand, the breaks have changed the game by giving coaches more influence; on the other, they break the flow of play for the fans,” an Argentina supporter told DW.

Research conducted by the English newspaper “The Times” suggests this impression is not merely subjective. Using Opta data, the paper evaluated every group-stage match. A significant shift in momentum occurred in 32% of matches after the first water break, and in 26% after the second. On average, match momentum dropped by 17% following an interruption. Particularly striking was the finding that the team with higher momentum prior to the break experienced a much sharper decline in momentum afterward.

Players and coaches also view this trend critically. Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk noted that the interruptions are far from ideal for neutral viewers watching on TV. While water breaks make sense in extreme heat, he argued that decisions regarding their use should be made on a match-by-match basis.

England manager Thomas Tuchel criticized the fact that the breaks unnecessarily prolong the matches. Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro went so far as to say that soccer is increasingly evolving into a game played in four quarters—a comparison that comes naturally in North America, given that popular American sports, like basketball and American football, are structured that way.

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A financial windfall for FIFA?

That is precisely where another point of criticism arises. In many countries, broadcasters are using these guaranteed stoppages for commercial breaks, something previously almost unheard of in soccer.

“They have to fit in their advertising; from a corporate perspective, that probably makes sense,” an American fan told DW.

The hydration breaks themselves even have their own sponsor, whose name appears on the stadium’s big screen at the beginning of the breaks.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has denied that football’s global governing body was profiting from the introduction of the hydration breaks.

“We don’t earn a single extra dollar from the hydration breaks because all the contracts were already signed before they were introduced,” he told SNTV.

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At the same time, he announced plans to carefully evaluate the experience gained during this World Cup. Only after that would a decision on the future of the water breaks be taken.

Medical benefit

Sports medicine experts consider additional opportunities for players to hydrate during extreme heat to be sensible.

“There is data showing that so-called ‘cooling breaks’ have a beneficial effect on body temperature,” sports doctor Tim Meyer told Germany’s “11 Freunde” football magazine.

“In extreme conditions, players run less – and, above all, less intensely – and play more safe passes. From a health perspective, that is probably sensible, but it certainly isn’t in the spirit of the sport.”

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The debate has long since shifted away from the question of whether players need  protection from the heat to the question of what that protection should look like – and whether the breaks should apply to every match, no matter the temperature.

This article was originally published in German. 

Everton have officially confirmed CMC Markets as the club’s new front-of-shirt sponsor ahead of the 2026-27 season, formally corroborating the news we brought you back in the spring.

As ToffeeWeb reported back in April, the multi-year agreement sees the UK-based financial services and online trading firm replace Stake.com as the Blues’ principal sponsorship partner.

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CMC’s branding will now feature on the front of the men’s, women’s, and Under-21s’ kits. The deal also includes heavy visual presence across the new Hill Dickinson Stadium, Goodison Park (now home to Everton Women), and Finch Farm.

The commercial shake-up arrives ahead of the Premier League’s self-imposed ban on front-of-shirt gambling sponsors, which comes into full effect for the 2026-27 campaign. However, those hoping for a clean break from the betting industry will be left disappointed.

Stake.com is not disappearing from the royal blue jersey. Instead, the controversial cryptocurrency casino has simply sidestepped to become the club’s official sleeve sponsor on a renewed multi-year deal. The move ensures Stake retains highly visible branding both on the kit and around the club’s stadiums, a decision sure to rankle campaign groups like the Coalition to End Gambling Ads and a vocal section of the fanbase who campaigned against the initial partnership.

The deep irony of Everton’s new commercial setup will not be lost on supporters. While the club is adhering to the letter of the impending Premier League regulations by removing a traditional casino and sports betting brand from the primary shirt real estate, they have effectively replaced it with a spread betting and financial derivatives platform that operates under the eminently more respectable umbrella of investment speculation.

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Whether the inherent ‘gamble’ of retail trading, CFDs, and financial speculation represents a tangible moral improvement over sports betting is highly debatable but, for Everton’s commercial department, the bottom line is clearly what matters most. Combined with the Stake sleeve renewal, the club is projecting a significant uplift in commercial revenue as they prepare to usher in a new era at the waterfront.

Lord Peter Cruddas, Founder and CEO of CMC Markets, leaned heavily on the shared “passion” of football and finance in today’s official announcement, stating: “Football is one of the few passions in life that inspires lifelong commitment because, like financial markets, you invest in your club long-term.

“We see that same mindset among many of our clients. They are loyal and strive to achieve success through patience, resilience and confidence.”

Andrew Middleton, Everton’s President of Business Operations, hailed the partnership, noting that agreements of this scale “help us strengthen revenues, build a more sustainable platform for success and support our ambitions on and off the pitch.”

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The new CMC-branded home kit is expected to be officially unveiled later this week.

Reader Comments (7)

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer ()

Dave Abrahams

2 Posted 01/07/2026 at 12:08:01

Is there any difference between how much the new sponsors are paying for the privilege of sponsoring us to the old one?

Iain Johnston

3 Posted 01/07/2026 at 12:14:15

The new deal is worth around £25m a year.

Stake paid us £10m a year.

Les Callan

4 Posted 01/07/2026 at 12:26:33

Baron Cruddas. A fine upstanding member of society.

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Paul Hewitt

5 Posted 01/07/2026 at 12:26:34

The combined value of shirt and sleeve sponsor is 25 million

Christy Ring

6 Posted 01/07/2026 at 13:43:14

Considering the amount of sponsorship we’re getting and the revenue from all the different sports and activities at the Hill Dickinson, should we not have alot more money for transfers?

John Collins

7 Posted 01/07/2026 at 14:15:35

The owner of the company is bent Paul H?

Broncos Wire‘s 91-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at eighth-year offensive lineman Ben Powers, No. 74.

Before the Broncos: Powers (6-4, 310 pounds) was a fourth-round pick (123rd overall) of the Baltimore Ravens in the 2019 NFL draft. In Powers’ rookie year, he only played in one game before becoming a starter in 2020. In his second season, Powers dressed for 16 games, including seven starts.

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In 2021, Powers started 12 of 13 games he played in, transitioning from right guard to left guard for the first time in his career. In 2022, Powers started all 17 games, including Baltimore’s playoff loss. Powers may have won a starting role, but he was not safe from the reality of the business of the NFL. He was not re-signed by the Ravens ahead of the 2023 season.

Broncos tenure: Powers immediately signed a four-year, $52 million contract at the outset of the 2023 offseason with the Denver Broncos. In his first season with the Broncos, Powers immediately became an everyday starter, starting and playing in 17 games for the second straight year. Powers followed his performance in 2023 by starting 18 games (17 regular season contests and one playoff game) for Denver in 2024. In 2025, Powers started just 10 games (eight regular season, two playoff) because of a biceps injury he suffered in a win over the Philadelphia Eagles.

Chances to make the 53-man roster: Likely starter in 2026. Powers was the subject of heavy trade rumors through the beginning of the 2026 offseason, but the team informed him that he would not be traded. Powers is coming into the final year of his Broncos contract, so it will be important for him to put out great film for the other 31 NFL teams to review in 2027. With several talented backup linemen behind him, this may be Powers’ last season in orange and blue.

Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.

This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Broncos roster: OL Ben Powers (No. 74) entering final year of contract

The Minnesota Vikings have no shortage of playmakers in the fifth year of Kevin O’Connell’s reign — and ESPN recognizes it. Bill Barnwell ranked the league’s best weapon groups last week, and O’Connell’s team checked in at No. 8.

Over the last three seasons, Minnesota has been best known for defense, but don’t forget its offensive firepower, says Barnwell.

Vikings Weapons Earn Top 10 Respect from Bill Barnwell

Barnwell: Vikings Weapons Are 8th-Best

In a lengthy article, Barnwell ranked all NFL teams by RB-WR-TE groupings, with Minnesota at No. 8.

He explained, “Even coming off his worst season as a pro, Justin Jefferson still has a deserved reputation as one of the most feared receivers in the game. He also has been healthy for five of his first six seasons in the league, which makes it easier to project a full season. And adding Jauan Jennings gave coach Kevin O’Connell an overqualified No. 3 to play behind Jefferson and Jordan Addison.”

“Both Jefferson and Addison saw their catch rates drop to career lows last season, which I feel comfortable chalking up to subpar quarterback play. T.J. Hockenson, though, recorded the best catch rate of his career, in part because he was catching bunches of short checkdowns. The tight end hasn’t been the same player since his 2023 ACL tear, and the Vikings could really use his ability to create after the catch and up the seam to help new QB Kyler Murray this season.”

Many believed Hockenson and running back Aaron Jones would depart this offseason, but both accepted paycuts for perhaps one final run in Minnesota.

“This is a make-or-break year for Hockenson, who will be a free agent after the campaign. Running back just isn’t a strength for this team. Jordan Mason is a one-dimensional ball carrier without much of an impact in the passing game, and fumbles remain a real problem for him (six across 337 touches over the past two seasons),” Barnwell continued.

“Aaron Jones Sr. has seven fumbles of his own over that same time span, and while he can do more as a receiver, Jones is 31 and has missed significant time with injuries in two of the past three seasons. The names on the Vikings’ roster at running back and tight end might be more prominent than their actual expected level of play in 2026.”

No Lies Told

This is just. Minnesota — objectively — has a fantastic weapons corps. These are the names:

• Justin Jefferson
• Jordan Addison
• Jauan Jennings
• T.J. Hockenson
• Aaron Jones
• Jordan Mason
• Demond Claiborne

The Vikings running backs aren’t the greatest or sexiest, but the WR trio more than makes up for it. And if you’re confused why Barnwell or this website believes the Vikings’ weapons are better than most, have a look at the Miami Dolphins’ weapons, for example:

• De’Von Achane (RB)
• Malik Washington (WR)
• Greg Dulcich (TE)
• Jalen Tolbert (WR)
• Tutu Atwell (WR)
• Ollie Gordon II (RB)
• Jalen Wright (RB)

That’s an extreme example — one of the worst stables in the league — but you get it. The Vikings are sitting pretty. Weapons will not be a problem for the 2026 squad.

Bouncebacks from Jefferson, Addison, Hockenson?

Jefferson had to sweat the entire season before hitting 1,000 yards last year; it was the Vikings’ main drama in Week 18 — Would Jefferson hit 1,000 yards? When that question is front and center, something is obviously wrong. The Vikings need better quarterback performance in 2026.

There’s a simple rule of thumb on Addison: when the quarterback is competent, he thrives. When the quarterback is unproductive, Addison does very little compared to his typical production.

And on Hockenson, Minnesota used him mostly as a sixth offensive lineman in 2025 because injuries rattled the trenches. He has something to prove, showing the world that he hasn’t morphed into a blocking tight end.

All three men should have chips on their shoulder this season, spiking the intrigue.

Finally the Season to Cure the Rushing Offense

O’Connell has yet to master one element of head coaching: rushing offense. Every summer, he and his lieutenants claim “this is the year” when the playcalling will emphasize balance and rushing efficiency, but when the rubber hits the road, the team has improved only marginally, if at all.

This go-around, the Vikings have Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, and rookie Demond Claiborne to potentially solve the rushing conundrum. Minnesota cannot fall back into his familiar habits, throwing the ball when the scoreboard reads 7-0. The Vikings absolutely must run the ball.

If O’Connell eventually gets fired, it will be because he couldn’t master the ground game.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker

Golfers are naturally curious creatures. Whether you’re teeing it up with the usual suspects or getting paired with complete strangers, we all do a little scan of our playing partners on the first tee to see what clothes, shoes, bags and, of course, equipment they’re gaming.

And lately, one driver has been showing up more and more: the Titleist GTS2.

Back in March, Titleist introduced its new GTS driver lineup—GTS1, GTS2, GTS3, and GTS4—and it didn’t take long for it to make its way into the bags of Tour pros. Within days of launch, 24 PGA Tour players had already put a GTS model in play for that week’s event. And it wasn’t long before amateurs followed suit.

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Titleist GTS2 Custom Driver

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Since hitting the market, the GTS2 has quickly become a favorite for both Tour players and everyday golfers—even becoming Fairway Jockey’s best-selling driver in June. And once you look under the hood, it’s not hard to understand the appeal.

Distance and forgiveness working together

No matter how skilled you are, every golfer misses the center of the face from time to time. On a typical mishit, you usually pay for it in either distance or direction—sometimes both. 

But with Titleist’s Split Mass Frame, off-center strikes don’t hurt nearly as much.

Built with a full thermoform body, the Split Mass Frame moves weight both back and forward in the head. The rear weight increases stability and helps the face resist twisting at impact, while the forward weight helps players maintain ball speed—even when you don’t catch it perfectly.

The result is a driver that’s easier to launch, feels more stable at impact and flies a little farther while staying on your intended line.

Boost speed without trying

According to Titleist, the GTS2 continues their focus on smarter shaping and aerodynamic design. The pronounced raised tail helps the clubhead move through the air with less resistance, generating more speed during your swing and delivering maximum speed at impact. Put simply, it’s engineered to help the head move faster without you having to swing any harder.

Dual weighting for maximum customization

Like most modern drivers, the GTS2 features adjustable weighting that allows you—or a fitter—to dial in the center of gravity to match your swing. However, there’s one key difference compared to Titleist’s previous GT lineup: a dual-weighting system.

In addition to the rear weight, the GTS2 also allows adjustment in the front, giving you more control over your driving performance. When properly dialed in, this setup can help optimize speed and distance for your swing.

It’s easy to see why the GTS2 has quickly earned its spot in so many bags. With Titleist’s top-of-the-line technology, this driver delivers a rare mix of distance, forgiveness and adjustability that shows up when it matters most.

LONDON (AP) — Serena Williams tweaked her right knee at Wimbledon during her first singles match in nearly four years but still hopes to play doubles with sister Venus, her agent said Wednesday.

The 44-year-old Williams did not ask for medical treatment during a 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3 loss to 20-year-old Maya Joint of Australia in the first round on Tuesday.

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Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion who won seven of her titles at Wimbledon, did not meet with media after the match.

“Serena tweaked her right knee at the end of the first set and was therefore excused from her media obligations by the Wimbledon and WTA medical teams,” said Jill Smoller, Williams’ agent. “She left site that night unaided and is doing everything she can to be ready for her doubles match later this week.”

Serena received wild card invitations from Wimbledon organizers to play both singles and doubles with Venus.

___

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Welcome to another exciting edition of Sportskeeda Wrestling’s WWE News and Rumor Roundup! Several interesting developments have taken place in the past 24 hours and the wrestling world is absolutely buzzing. We’ll be discussing several hot topics and groundbreaking stories in today’s lineup involving reports of a massive return and news on John Cena.

With the trending stories setting the internet abuzz and the rumor mill spinning at full speed, there’s no time to waste. Let’s dive straight into the hot topics!

#5. Nikki Blackheart makes her WWE debut on NXT

The NXT women’s division witnessed a massive jolt this week as Nikki Blackheart made her official debut on the brand. It happened at the end of the mainevent where Kelani Jordan defeated Tatum Paxley. Just as the latter was recovering in the ring after her bout, an unidentified powerhouse blindsided Paxley from behind. It was Blackheart, who completely laid waste to the former champion.

Her arrival caught everyone off guard and became a major talking point from this week’s NXT. Commentator Vic Joseph however did not call the newcomer by name on air, stating that everyone already knows who she is. While fans know her as independent standout Nikki Blackheart, reports indicate that unresolved trademark logistics are why the 29-year-old wasn’t named on screen.

#4. Enzo Amore and Big Cass set to return to WWE – Reports

The wrestling world is buzzing about a potential reunion that seemed absolutely impossible a few years ago. One of the most popular duos, Enzo Amore and Big Cass, are reportedly set to return to WWE. The two superstars left the Stamford-based promotion in 2018 due to personal issues. However, recent reports state that WWE is interested in bringing them back.

Enzo Amore has been a free agent lately and was recently spotted at the WWE Performance Center. Meanwhile, Big Cass, who currently works as Big Bill in AEW, has reportedly given his notice to Tony Khan’s promotion and his contract will expire in a week. WWE is interested in bringing Cass and Amore together to the company to bolster the tag team division.

#3. Austin Theory made a shocking revelation about John Cena

Austin Theory recently appeared on the IMPAULSIVE podcast, where he dropped a lot of fascinating insight into how his career is viewed backstage. The biggest takeaway from the interview is John Cena’s gesture. While The Cenation Leader was ruthlessly tearing Theory apart on screen to build the WrestleMania 39 match, Cena was doing the exact opposite behind the curtain.

Austin Theory revealed that John Cena went to Vince McMahon and advocated for him to be turned into a babyface. The 17-time World Champion believed that Theory looks like an organic face and his bad guy character doesn’t quite fit in. Cena therefore asked the former United States Champion to be his true self without having to pretend to be a heel.

#2. Ken Patera broke his neck during a gym session

Former Olympian weightlifter and wrestling icon Ken Patera recently encountered an unfortunate incident. During a recent workout session in a gym, the WWE legend suddenly fell, which resulted in him suffering a broken C1 vertebra in his neck. The unfortunate news came to light after Steve Stasiak of Book Pro Wrestlers shared it.

The accident marks a heartbreaking setback for the former Intercontinental Champion. Ken Patera had spent the last two and a half years undergoing and growing rehabilitation process to recover from major back surgery. The wrestling icon defied all the odds and had made remarkable progress, dropping significant weight and dedicating himself to a strict fitness regimen.

#1. Alexa Bliss shared a heartfelt note for her late Grammy

Alexa Bliss has been going through a pretty tough time as she recently lost her beloved grandmother. She took to social media to inform fans of this news as Bliss posted several pictures of her Grammy on her Instagram stories. Losing a beloved family member is heartbreaking for anyone. But the passing of her grandmother is deeply emotional for her also because of the profound impact her Grammy had on her life and career.

During past interviews, Alexa Bliss revealed that her grandmother was the reason why she became a pro wrestler in the first place. While her mother was heavily against her watching wrestling during childhood, Alexa’s grandmother let her watch tapes of old matches and even took her to live WWE shows. Without her grandmother fostering that secret passion, Bliss would have never become a WWE Superstar.