Arsene Wenger, who serves as Fifa’s head of global football development, has acknowledged that the mandatory hydration breaks implemented during the 2026 World Cup have faced significant backlash. While Fifa enforced these three-minute pauses for every match across the United States, Mexico, and Canada to prioritize athlete welfare, critics have argued that the stoppages primarily serve as windows for lucrative television commercials.
Wenger admitted that fans frequently expressed frustration, particularly in indoor stadiums, and noted that the organization intends to conduct a thorough review once the tournament concludes. Although the breaks functioned as tactical resets for coaches, figures like England manager Thomas Tuchel criticized them for disrupting the flow and character of the game, while Spain boss Luis de la Fuente defended them as a necessary health measure.
Addressing the expansion of the tournament format, Wenger also characterized the shift from 32 to 48 teams as an ethical victory and a resounding success for the sport. Fifa plans to weigh the feedback from spectators and the overall impact on gameplay before making future policy decisions.
