Hydration breaks not popular and Fifa will review - Wenger

What the report says

BBC Sport reports that Arsene Wenger, Fifa’s head of global football development, has acknowledged criticism of the mandatory hydration breaks used at the 2026 World Cup and said the governing body will assess their effect once the tournament is over. The breaks, lasting three minutes, were introduced for every match at venues in the United States, Mexico and Canada, regardless of weather or stadium conditions.

According to the BBC, Fifa framed the policy as a player-welfare measure, but it has drawn complaints from supporters and others who believe the stoppages disrupt matches. Wenger said some fans had not liked the breaks, particularly in covered stadiums, and that Fifa would examine whether they affected the competition. He said he did not think they had changed results, while adding that football authorities must consider the experience of people watching the game.

The BBC reported that fans increasingly booed the pauses as the tournament went on. Critics have also noted that broadcasters could use the interruptions for advertising. BBC Sport cited experts who estimated that a 30-second World Cup advertising slot on Fox Sports in the US could range from $200,000 to $300,000 on average, and rise higher for USA matches and later rounds. The pauses also gave coaches an opportunity to speak to players, making them function in part like tactical timeouts.

Reaction within football has been mixed. Uefa has ruled out adopting the measure, and England manager Thomas Tuchel said earlier in the tournament that he disliked how the breaks interrupt a match. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente supported them on health grounds. Wenger also defended the expanded 48-team World Cup format, saying it had been a success after earlier doubts.