Fifa promises ‘deep analysis’ on hydration breaks after World Cup final

Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleHarry Kane takes a drink during a hydration break in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match between England and Croatia at Dallas Stadium on June 17, 2026 (Getty Images)Arsene Wenger, FIFA's Chief of Global Football Development, stated that mandatory three-minute hydration breaks introduced during the World Cup did not affect the flow of play or match results.Despite Wenger's assessment, the future of these breaks remains uncertain, with FIFA planning a post-tournament review to decide on their continued use in future competitions.The breaks, implemented midway through each half, faced criticism from some who argued they disrupted momentum, effectively creating four quarters, and were seen by fans as an opportunity for broadcasters to insert commercials.Coaches expressed mixed opinions; while some acknowledged their necessity in extreme heat, others like Uruguay's Marcelo Bielsa strongly criticised them for adding nothing to football and destroying the sport's cultural essence.Wenger explained that the breaks were applied universally across all matches, even in cooler or covered venues where they were less popular, due to medical necessity in other games played in extreme heat.In fullFifa insists hydration breaks did not impact World Cup results despite coaches’ complaintsMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

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