The report says players were still called to the touchline, with sprinklers used on the pitch. But instead of an announcement over the public-address system, the stadium continued with music, fan footage on the screens and commercial branding around the field.
That made the interruption look more like an ordinary part of the matchday routine. In reality, it still divided each half into distinct sections and altered the rhythm of the contest.
For supporters, the change may feel cosmetic. The noise has been muted, but the stoppage remains - and its presence is still impossible to miss inside the ground.
has reportedly described the policy as a “versão ‘simplificada e enxuta’” - a simplified and streamlined version of hydration breaks used in previous competitions. Manolo Zubiria, the tournament director, has also said the interruption would last three minutes in every match, regardless of venue coverage or temperature.
That universal approach is now drawing scrutiny. Hydration breaks can be valuable in heat, but conditions vary sharply between fixtures. A rainy evening or storm-delayed match raises obvious questions about whether the same intervention is necessary every time.
The challenge for is balancing player welfare with the flow of the game and the experience of supporters. Removing the announcement may reduce the immediate backlash, but it does not resolve the wider debate.
The next matches in Toronto will reveal whether the quieter presentation calms the crowd - or whether fans continue to object to the stoppage itself.