Fox Uses World Cup Hydration Breaks for Commercials, Sparks Fan Outcry The 2026 FIFA World Cup opener between Mexico and South Africa on Thursday became a focal point for controversy after U.S. broadcaster Fox cut to full-screen commercials during mandated hydration breaks, leaving fans without live action for critical moments. The breaks, introduced by FIFA as part of a “player welfare” initiative, were designed to pause play midway through each half. However, Fox’s handling of the ads drew criticism for disrupting the flow of the match and missing key moments. During the second half, Fox’s commentator Ian Darke announced the hydration break shortly after Raul Jimenez scored Mexico’s goal in the 67th minute, an emotional moment that sparked celebrations in Mexico City and among Mexican American communities. The break, which was supposed to last three minutes, began immediately after the goal, leaving players waiting around 40 seconds for the referee’s signal to resume play. Despite the restart, Fox continued airing commercials, including an Adidas ad featuring Lamine Yamal, before briefly returning to the match. FIFA had previously outlined rules for broadcasters during the breaks, stating that ads should not start within 20 seconds of the referee’s whistle and should resume the match feed at least 30 seconds before play restarted. While Fox adhered to the time limits for ad duration—showing around two minutes of commercials during both breaks—it violated the latter rule by delaying the return to the match feed. The broadcaster also faced backlash for failing to cut to ads promptly after the goal, forcing it to squeeze in multiple commercials, including a Verizon spot with David Beckham and a Bank of America ad. In contrast, Telemundo, which holds Spanish-language broadcast rights in the U.S.#fox #lamine_yamal #fifa #raul_jimenez #ian_darke
Hormiga González, orgulloso de estar junto a Santiago Gimenez y Raúl Jiménez: “Me estoy acercando a ese nivel” Armando “La Hormiga” González, delantero de la selección mexicana de fútbol, compartió en exclusiva con Claro Sports sus emociones y expectativas antes de disputar su primer Mundial. El jugador, de 23 años y campeón de goleo en la Liga MX, habló sobre su trayectoria desde su primera convocatoria con el Tricolor, la cercanía con figuras como Santiago Gimenez, Raúl Jiménez y Edson Álvarez, y su preparación para el torneo que se celebrará en México. González expresó su alegría por haber alcanzado este hito, señalando que se siente cerca de alcanzar el nivel de fútbol al que aspira en su carrera. “Muy feliz, significa que estoy haciendo las cosas bien porque me estoy acercando a ese nivel de fútbol al que yo quiero llegar a jugar en mi carrera. Entonces, siento que estoy cerca, todavía me queda por mejorar más y cuando llegue a ese nivel no voy a quedarme satisfecho. Voy a querer seguir mejorando, pero yo contento de poder estar cerca de esos grandes jugadores”, afirmó. El atacante recordó cómo desde su debut en 2024 se proponía lograr su lugar en el Mundial 2026. “Sí, la verdad yo desde que debuté en el 2024 dije, ‘tengo dos años para meterme ahí, puedo lograrlo, lo puedo lograr’. Hubo un momento en el que dije, ‘¿Sabes qué? Ya está medio complicada, pero pues voy a seguir luchando, seguir haciendo la mejor versión de lo que yo pueda’. Gracias a Dios, el año pasado me tocó debutar en selección y el profe Javier (Aguirre) nos lo dice siempre, ‘no hay como un Mundial en tu casa’. Él dice que es algo indescriptible”, explicó. Además, González detalló su experiencia al ingresar al Estadio Azteca en marzo pasado durante el empate contra Portugal. “Es algo muy bonito.#estadio_azteca #mundial_2026 #raul_jimenez #armando_hormiga_gonzalez #santiago_gimenez
Mexico vs South Africa Kick Off 2026 World Cup in Mexico City Mexico will face South Africa in the opening match of the 2026 men’s World Cup on Thursday, June 11, at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The game is scheduled for a 3 p.m. ET kickoff, marking the start of the tournament on home soil. Mexico, led by coach Javier Aguirre, has shown strong form in recent warm-up friendlies but faces pressure to deliver a commanding performance. The team, known as El Tri, has struggled in recent years but is now positioned to capitalize on the opportunity. South Africa, making their first World Cup appearance since 2010, are expected to be the underdogs in Group A. Despite their status, the African team has demonstrated organization and counter-attacking prowess during qualifying, making them a dangerous opponent. The match will be broadcast on Telemundo in the United States, with live streaming available via Peacock. For fans unable to attend in person, the game offers a chance to witness the excitement of the World Cup’s opening round. The Estadio Azteca, a historic venue for Mexican football, will host the clash, creating a vibrant atmosphere for the home team. Mexico’s squad includes key players such as Raul Jimenez, who will lead the attack, and defensive anchor Edson Alvarez. Young talents like Brian Gutierrez and Gilberto Mora are also expected to play significant roles. Midfielders Alexis Vega, Julian Quinones, and Orbelin Pineda will focus on creating chances for Jimenez, while Santiago Gimenez is likely to feature prominently. South Africa’s squad, featuring 19 players from their domestic leagues, is tightly knit and includes standout winger Oswin Appollis, who has scored nine goals in his last 16 matches for the national team.#south_africa #mexico #javier_aguirre #estadio_azteca #raul_jimenez
