FIFA admits hydration breaks may not continue after World Cup criticism

What the report says

Al Jazeera reports that FIFA has not decided whether mandatory hydration breaks used during the World Cup will remain after the tournament. Arsene Wenger, FIFA’s chief of football development, told reporters on Saturday at New York New Jersey Stadium — the venue for Sunday’s Argentina-Spain final — that the governing body would review the effect of the three-minute pauses introduced midway through each half.

Wenger said he had not seen data proving the breaks improved player performance or the rhythm of matches, while acknowledging that some spectators disliked them. He said the measure had been set for all games at the start of the tournament and was medically necessary in many cases, but FIFA would assess its overall impact before reaching a conclusion.

The policy marked a change from previous practice, when referees could allow shorter hydration or cooling stoppages in hot conditions. Al Jazeera noted that the mandatory pauses also applied in cooler or covered venues, including a group-stage match in Seattle played at about 16C, prompting fan criticism and jokes that the interruptions resembled commercial breaks in American sports.

Wenger was more positive about another FIFA change requiring players who receive medical treatment to leave the pitch for one minute. FIFA said medical interventions fell from 2.3 per match in 2022 to 1.6 at this tournament. The debate matters because hydration breaks affect player welfare, broadcast flow and match dynamics, with some fans arguing they can interrupt momentum or let teams reset tactically.