As England prepare to face Argentina on Wednesday, attention has turned to what exactly players are drinking during the World Cup’s mandatory hydration breaks. Under head coach Thomas Tuchel, England’s sports science team has reportedly built a heat-management strategy around a specialist thermoregulation drink called CoreCtrl, alongside a custom Lucozade electrolyte mix, as extreme temperatures at several tournament venues shape team preparation.
FIFA introduced mandatory hydration breaks at the 2026 World Cup specifically because of the high temperatures expected at a number of venues across the tournament. Under the rules, players take two three-minute breaks per match, with the referee pausing play roughly midway through each half, typically around the 22nd minute of the first half and the 67th minute of the second. While teams rarely disclose their specific nutrition plans publicly, these breaks give players a structured window to take on fluids, electrolytes and other performance-focused nutrition.
What’s actually in the bottles
England’s players reportedly drink CoreCtrl during these breaks, a thermoregulation beverage developed by Truefuels, the nutrition brand founded by triathlete Alistair Brownlee. Unlike a standard hydration drink, CoreCtrl is designed to do more than simply replace lost fluids. It contains active ingredients including L-taurine, alongside a mint flavour, both of which are intended to support the body’s natural cooling response, helping regulate rising internal temperature and delay the performance decline that can come with intense sprinting in hot conditions.
Alongside CoreCtrl, players are also given a custom electrolyte mix produced by Lucozade, designed to replace the sodium and other minerals lost through sweating during matches. This is aimed at maintaining hydration levels and reducing the risk of cramp as games progress. When needed, the hydration breaks also give players the opportunity to take on energy gels or carbohydrate supplements, helping sustain energy levels throughout long, high-intensity fixtures.
Heat management built into Tuchel’s game plan
Ahead of the tournament, Tuchel’s sports science team is understood to have placed a significant order for CoreCtrl in preparation for the extreme heat expected across venues in the United States. Heat management has become a central part of Tuchel’s approach to the World Cup, with cooling strategies reportedly beginning before kick-off and continuing throughout each match. During the hydration breaks themselves, England’s coaching and medical staff use the pause to monitor players for signs of heat stress, adjusting cooling methods and individual hydration plans as required.
