World Cup 2026: Hydration break not popular and FIFA to review, says Arsene Wenger

Arsene Wenger says he accepts hydration breaks at the 2026 World Cup were not popular and that FIFA will review their impact after the tournament.

FIFA introduced a mandatory three-minute hydration break for the World Cup, regardless of conditions, for all matches played in stadiums in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The governing body said it was brought in as a pledge of player welfare but critics pointed to broadcasters using the break as a way to cash in with advertising.

Former Arsenal manager Wenger, who is FIFA’s head of global football development, said “sometimes people don’t like hydration breaks” and FIFA “will analyze what the impact was after the World Cup”.

“It didn’t seem to me that it changed the result but we are here to serve the people who watch football and we will come to a decision later,” he added.

“In many games, especially when the stadium was covered, people were not happy about it but at the start of the competition it was decided to do it for everyone.”

As the tournament progressed, fans began to cheer for hydration breaks, there was frustration at stoppages.

Experts told BBC Sport that the average 30-second World Cup ad slot on Fox Sports in the US cost between $200,000 (£152,000) and $300,000 (£227,000), rising to $750,000 (£567,000) during the USA finals and matches.

They were effectively tactical timeouts, allowing coaches to run through tactical changes with the players.

European football body UEFA has ruled out introducing a break under England manager Thomas Tuchel Admittedly he is not a fan of them Ahead of the tournament, said they “interrupt and change the identity of a football match”.

Spain boss Luis de la Fuente His support voice for the break Last month, said: “I’m always interested in the health of my players. I think it’s the right measure – a break, freshen up and carry on.”

Meanwhile, Wenger said the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams, instead of 32, had been a success.

“It was questioned before it started but we found it was morally necessary to give more teams a chance. I’m sure it was the right decision and it was a great success,” he said.