After Mauricio Pochettino gathered his players around a laptop computer to watch a tactical video during an in-game hydration break in a friendly on Sunday, the U.S. men’s national team coach admitted he wasn’t sure he’d be allowed to do that in the upcoming World Cup.
According to a report from The Athletic on Monday, Pochettino and any other technologically inclined coaches will be permitted to use laptops at all times during World Cup matches.
The laws of the game already allowed coaches full in-game use of electronic devices, with the International Football Association Board (IFAB) permitting “small, mobile, handheld equipment (e.g. microphone, headphone, earpiece, mobile phone/smartphone, smartwatch, tablet, laptop).”
Per The Athletic, coaches and their staff will be allowed to present tactics on a laptop during water breaks provided the players do not cross the white line to leave the pitch.
Hydration breaks for all games are a new wrinkle for the 2026. In the past, in-game breaks were utilized only in games featuring extreme weather, to give the players some respite. This year, every World Cup game will include a three-minute break at a time designated by the referee around the midpoint of each half.
Pochettino and other coaches undoubtedly will use the stoppage as a time to review or revise game strategy.
The U.S. won the Sunday friendly against Senegal 3-2 in Charlotte.
–Field Level Media
