Erling Haaland scored a goal minutes after a hydration break. It may not be a coincidence, data analysis reveals

Researchers say players are attempting more shots within minutes after hydration breaks.

Japan’s Tsuyoshi Watanabe drinks water during a hydration break during the World Cup soccer match between the Netherlands and Japan. AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez

One week into the World Cup, the early data show that more shots are being taken immediately after the new hydration breaks.

Norway, Brazil, Scotland and Australia all scored goals shortly after the new water breaks.

Line chart showing cumulative expected goals (xG) for Norway and Iraq across the 2026 World Cup Group I match at Gillette Stadium. Norway's xG line climbs sharply in the first half and ends at 2.75; Iraq's rises gradually to 1.15, reflecting Norway's dominant 4–1 victory. — This graphic shows that Norway scored two of its three goals shortly after hydration breaks. The red dots indicate the goals. Courtesy of NetSI Sport

In the Norway versus Iraq match, Norwegian striker Erling Haaland delivered his team’s opening goal shortly after the first three-minute pause that FIFA has mandated for this year’s World Cup, and his teammate Leo Østigård scored the third goal during the second half of play – just three minutes after players were allowed to rehydrate and catch their breath.

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What do you think about the hydration breaks in the World Cup? Data from the first week of the World Cup shows that players are attempting more shots within minutes after hydration breaks than in the same period preceding the pause to refuel. #WorldCup #HydrationBreaks #FIFA #Soccer #Football
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Players are attempting more shots in the 10 minutes following a hydration break than in the same period preceding the pause to refuel.

Line chart showing cumulative expected goals (xG) for Morocco and Brazil across the 2026 World Cup Group C match at MetLife Stadium. Morocco's xG line surges early and ends at 1.25; Brazil's builds more gradually to 1.09, reflecting a closely contested 1–1 draw. — This graphic shows Vincennes Junior’s goal after the first hydration break. The green circle indicate the goal. Courtesy of NetSI Sport research group

The goal scored by Vinícius Júnior in Brazil’s match against Morocco and Scotland’s John McGinn one and only goal against Haiti both last weekend both occurred just minutes after hydration breaks.

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In Australia’s game against Turkey the phenomenon continued with attacking midfielder Arda Güler scoring in the seventh minute of the game, shortly after the first hydration break, and central midfielder Connor Metcalfe, scoring the team’s second goal at the 75th minute, several minutes after the second half water break.

It’s not yet clear whether the pauses are intentionally being used to ramp up tactics and strategy, but coaches appear to be using the opportunity to huddle and talk to their players.

Line chart showing cumulative expected goals (xG) for Haiti and Scotland across the 2026 World Cup Group C match at Gillette Stadium. Haiti's xG ends higher at 1.28 while Scotland's reaches 1.00, but Scotland's lone goal around the 30-minute mark proved enough for a 1–0 win despite Haiti generating more scoring chances overall. — This graphic shows Scotland scored shortly after the first hydration break. The red circle indicate the goal. Courtesy of NetSI Sport research group

A boost to play or not, some fans aren’t pleased. Social media is awash with complaints about hydration breaks ruining the flow of the game as advertisers take advantage of the extra minutes to hawk their products.