A 2018 quote from the late Diego Maradona has resurfaced during the 2026 World Cup, with fans crediting the Argentine legend for a prediction that feels eerily close to reality. Shortly after the United States, Canada, and Mexico were confirmed as the tournament's hosts, Maradona appeared on an Argentine TV program and launched into a passionate critique of the North American sporting model, convinced that football's traditional format would eventually be reshaped to serve broadcasters and advertisers.
"They will divide the game into four halves instead of two to insert advertisements," he warned. "Compare it, you will see." He didn't stop there, adding, "They have no passion for football. Canadians may be good skiers, and Americans wanted to divide the game into four 25-minute halves for advertising purposes."
The reason it's going viral now is FIFA's introduction of mandatory hydration breaks at this World Cup. To protect players from extreme heat across US venues, officials now pause each half roughly midway through, effectively splitting matches into four segments, and naturally creating more commercial airtime. Strictly speaking, Maradona's prophecy hasn't literally come true, since games are still played as two 45-minute halves. But with England manager Thomas Tuchel among those complaining the stoppages have "changed the identity of the game," many fans feel the spirit of his warning has arrived. Maradona died in November 2020, at age 60.
Sources: Gulf News, Sportskeeda, Kerala Kaumudi.
A 2018 quote from the late Diego Maradona has resurfaced during the 2026 World Cup, with fans crediting the Argentine legend for a prediction that feels eerily close to reality. Shortly after the United States, Canada, and Mexico were confirmed as the tournament's hosts, Maradona appeared on an Argentine TV program and launched into a passionate critique of the North American sporting model, convinced that football's traditional format would eventually be reshaped to serve broadcasters and advertisers.
"They will divide the game into four halves instead of two to insert advertisements," he warned. "Compare it, you will see." He didn't stop there, adding, "They have no passion for football. Canadians may be good skiers, and Americans wanted to divide the game into four 25-minute halves for advertising purposes."
The reason it's going viral now is FIFA's introduction of mandatory hydration breaks at this World Cup. To protect players from extreme heat across US venues, officials now pause each half roughly midway through, effectively splitting matches into four segments, and naturally creating more commercial airtime. Strictly speaking, Maradona's prophecy hasn't literally come true, since games are still played as two 45-minute halves. But with England manager Thomas Tuchel among those complaining the stoppages have "changed the identity of the game," many fans feel the spirit of his warning has arrived. Maradona died in November 2020, at age 60.
Sources: Gulf News, Sportskeeda, Kerala Kaumudi.
