Arsene Wenger, FIFA’s chief of global football development, said at the final press conference of the organization’s Technical Study Group that the hydration breaks had not altered match results even if some participants disliked them. The former Arsenal manager added that a detailed review of match data would follow the competition to assess their overall influence before any decision on retaining the measure. Wenger emphasized that officials had introduced the breaks uniformly across all fixtures to avoid creating disparities between games played in varying conditions. A Reuters report from the Saturday event in New Jersey detailed how the assessment would help determine whether the innovation serves players and spectators effectively going forward.
FIFA required three-minute hydration breaks midway through each half in every match at the expanded 48-team tournament hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, according to tournament protocols outlined ahead of the event. The governing body had announced the measure in December 2025 specifically to protect player welfare during periods of extreme heat, a FIFA statement at the time indicated. Wenger told the press conference that the policy proved medically necessary in many fixtures even though it divided games into four segments and drew criticism for disrupting momentum.
Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa questioned the value of the breaks, stating they added nothing to the sport while taking a great deal away from its traditional flow, multiple outlets covering the tournament reported. England coach Thomas Tuchel observed that the pauses exerted a larger influence on matches than anticipated and interrupted key moments, according to comments compiled in the Reuters dispatch. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente and Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk voiced support for the underlying intent in hot conditions but raised doubts about their application in cooler venues or those with closed roofs. These varied reactions underscored the debate that Wenger said FIFA would examine through post-tournament analysis.
Wenger acknowledged during the briefing that fans and teams voiced dissatisfaction particularly when stadiums featured closed roofs, yet he maintained the uniform approach prevented any competitive imbalance. The FIFA official promised a thorough evaluation, telling reporters that while conclusions had not yet been reached the data review would address whether the breaks altered outcomes or simply addressed genuine welfare needs. He noted that in certain games the pauses were clearly required for player safety given the diverse climates across the three host nations.
The 2026 World Cup has featured high-level performances despite logistical challenges posed by travel across multiple time zones and venues, Wenger stated at the Technical Study Group session. He dismissed earlier concerns that the schedule and distances would degrade the quality of play, pointing instead to the strong standard of competition observed up to the final between Spain and Argentina scheduled for July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium. Wenger added that the tournament had succeeded in delivering engaging matches, countering pre-event worries raised by FIFA about potential disruptions.
Wenger’s comments came as the competition nears its conclusion, with the review expected to inform rules for future international events including potential adjustments to break protocols. The analysis will consider both performance metrics and feedback from participating teams as well as spectator responses documented throughout the group and knockout stages. Officials plan to weigh these elements against the original goal of enhancing player welfare without unduly affecting the game’s rhythm.
