Arsene Wenger acknowledged that the hydration stoppages implemented for the 2026 World Cup have met with disapproval, and football’s governing body will assess their effects once the competition concludes.
The global football authority mandated three-minute cooling pauses for every World Cup fixture taking place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, irrespective of the weather.
Officials stated the move was part of a dedication to protecting player health, though detractors have noted that television networks seized the opportunity to generate revenue through advertisements.
Wenger, the ex-Arsenal boss now in charge of global football advancement for the organization, remarked that the breaks “weren’t always well received” and that they would “examine the outcomes following the tournament.”
“From what I observed, it didn’t alter match results, but our role is to cater to football fans, and we’ll draw our conclusions later,” he continued.
“In numerous matches, particularly those under a roof, spectators were dissatisfied, yet it was determined before the tournament began to apply the measure across all games.”
As the event unfolded, fans began to jeer during the cooling intervals, reflecting their annoyance with the interruptions.
Industry specialists reported that a typical 30-second commercial slot during World Cup telecasts on Fox Sports in the US runs from $200,000 to $300,000, and soared to $750,000 for matches involving the host nation and the tournament’s climax.
In reality, these stoppages served as tactical timeouts, allowing managers to convey strategic adjustments to their squads.
Europe’s football confederation has dismissed adopting such pauses, while England’s head coach Thomas Tuchel confessed earlier in the competition that he dislikes them, arguing they “disrupt and alter the essence of a football contest.”
Spain’s manager Luis de la Fuente expressed backing for the intervals recently, stating: “I’m always concerned about my players’ well-being. I believe it’s a sensible step — a break, refresh, and then carry on.”
In other remarks, Wenger noted that the decision to enlarge the World Cup from 32 to 48 participating nations has proven to be a triumph.
“It faced skepticism beforehand, but we felt it was morally necessary to offer opportunities to a broader range of countries. I’m sure it was the correct call and it turned out to be a resounding success,” he stated.
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