EXCLUSIVE: Andy Burnham ‘fears for the future of football’ over US World Cup plans

'It feels like FIFA has caved in on something it successfully withstood 30-years ago.'

Following Labour's setback in the local elections during the first week of May — in which they lost 1,400 council seats— the Manchester Mayor has since emerged as the surprise favourite to take Keir Starmer's place as leader of the nation's governing party, and future Prime Minister.

Despite his growing popularity, the "road to Number 10" for Burnham is set to be long and arduous.

No longer a Member of Parliament, the mayor must first secure victory over Reform UK in the by-election for the constituency of Makerfield, before he can launch a serious bid to become Prime Minister, should that be his intention.

Surprisingly enough, rather than policy propositions, Andy Burnham's remarks on football — namely his desire to "ban VAR" and his identity as an Everton season ticket holder — seem to have captured the most attention this week.

For those hoping to learn a little more about the man who may soon make his way to the very top of Westminster politics, and more of his views on the beautiful game, PoliticsJOE sat down with the head of the Greater Manchester combined authority late last year, where amongst other topics, Burnham discussed the upcoming World Cup in North America.

WATCH: Andy Burnham 'fears for the future of football' over US World Cup plans

"I remember the 1994 World Cup [also hosted by the USA]," Burnham says, before adding: "The request came from the host nation that they didn't quite like this two halves idea, they wanted four quarters."

"They actually wanted bigger goals as well," he added.

"Fortunately they got short shrift in the end, when football was a bit more old school, like me! And they said: 'On your bike, we're not doing that!"

Moving on to discuss this summer's upcoming tournament, Burham told PolticsJOE: "Lo and behold, this week [back in December 2025] I read that we are going to have, well the official name is a hydration break, but it lasts three minutes long, which is conveniently about the length of an ad break isn't it?"

Andy Burnham was referring to World Cup proposals that would allow officials to stop play up to twice per match for hydration breaks, as players cope with the extreme heat expected during games, as reported at the time by renowned sports outlet The Athletic.

Since the interview took place, further details surrounding those plans have emerged, going even further in supporting the Manchester Mayor’s prediction.

Per another The Athletic's report, published in March 2026, and as predicted by Burnham, it has been confirmed that as part of those hydration breaks: "Broadcasters will be permitted to flip away from the match feed to show commercials, as they would during halftime or a timeout in basketball or American football."

"It feels like FIFA has caved in on something it successfully withstood 30-years ago," Burnham continued.

"As I tweeted the other day: 'I fear for the future of football.'"

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Watch the full PoliticsJOE interview with Andy Burnham here: