FIFA to review World Cup hydration breaks after Wenger says impact remains unclear

FIFA has not made a final decision on the future of hydration breaks at the World Cup. Arsène Wenger said the three-minute stoppages did not appear to alter results, but FIFA will review their overall impact after the tournament.

The breaks were applied in every match, including indoor venues, as FIFA chose consistency over weather-by-weather decisions. The stated purpose was player protection during a summer tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, but the universal approach drew criticism from some fans and former players.

The issue now sits at the intersection of welfare, tactics and business. Coaches have used the pauses to give instructions, while broadcasters may see predictable stoppages as valuable advertising windows, though revenue estimates tied to that point require separate verification.

For editors and supporters, the question is whether football should standardize such pauses for player safety or keep them limited to extreme conditions and referee discretion, as is common in many competitions.