PARIS — In 1970 it was the introduction of yellow and red cards. In 2018 VAR made its World Cup debut, while in Qatar in 2022 a Fifa directive to referees led to huge extensions to the amount of stoppage time played in games.

So what can we expect to see at this year’s World Cup in North America?

Hydration breaks

Pauses to allow players to take on fluids have been regularly seen in games played in hot conditions, but they have never been introduced as a compulsory element of every match at a World Cup.

That will change this year, with Fifa bringing in three-minute hydration breaks midway through each half — regardless of the weather, even for matches played in cool conditions or under a closed roof.

“There will be no weather or temperature condition in place, with the breaks being called by the referee in all games, to ensure equal conditions for all teams, in all matches,” football’s world governing body said.

Fifa puts the introduction of hydration breaks down to a commitment to player welfare, but cynics might say the decision to effectively split matches into four quarters resembles the way some leading US sports are played and suits American broadcasters who might take advantage by selling advertising during the breaks in action.