Why they water soccer field before game, during halftime, in hydration breaks

Much has been made about the hydration breaks at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

But during those breaks, as well as before matches and at halftime, it’s not just the players getting hydrated.

They also do a lot of watering of the field, or the pitch as many call it.

Some players have gotten caught by the surprise sprinklers during the tournament.

Some, as shown above, have chosen to give themselves a quick cleaning when the sprinklers come on, too.

It’s very logical, and it’s pretty standard practice at these matches.

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Why do they water the soccer field?

A better-watered pitch allows for less friction.

That helps the ball move faster and creates smoother-flowing action.

To be fair, these fields at the World Cup are fantastic and probably wouldn’t suffer a ton without water.

If a pitch was particularly dry, the ball could get held up or even bounce around a bit on a more uneven surface.

This watering at the World Cup just makes sure the surface is perfect for everyone playing in these massive matches.