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Arsène Wenger, FIFA's chief of global football development, has announced that a review of the hydration break policy will take place following this summer's World Cup.
Previously reserved only for matches played in dangerously hot conditions, FIFA made hydration breaks compulsory during each half of every game this summer, including those played in air-conditioned venues.
As the tournament has gone on, stadium crowds have grown increasingly outspoken against the practice, with many claiming FIFA is simply creating additional airtime for broadcasters to run advertisements. While numerous broadcasters have eagerly used the opportunity to cut to commercials—one even missed 10 seconds of live action in doing so—others have chosen not to interrupt their coverage.
"Sometimes people didn't like it and we have to analyze after the World Cup what is the impact," Wenger told FIFA's Technical Study Group's closing press conference. "Especially when the stadiums were covered, people were not happy with it.
"It didn't appear to me that it altered the outcomes of matches. But we are here to serve those who watch football and we will draw conclusions once the competition is over.
"In some games, it was genuinely necessary and because we want consistency in how matches are managed, we decided at the outset of the tournament to implement it. We will conduct a thorough review after the competition. We haven't reached a conclusion yet, but I promise that you will receive one."
What Is the Problem With Hydration Breaks?
The concept of a hydration break, on its own, had not been called into question prior to this summer.
First introduced in 2014 specifically for matches played in extreme heat, most supporters could understand the need to safeguard players in potentially hazardous conditions. Many games this summer would have qualified under the previous criteria for hydration breaks.
Making the breaks mandatory in every half sparked serious doubts about FIFA's actual motives. President Gianni Infantino publicly maintained it is entirely about ensuring a level playing field, but that explanation has failed to convince fans who view it as yet another effort to monetize the tournament.
Even on the pitch, questions have been raised about the effect of mandatory stoppages on matches, with several instances of momentum shifting dramatically in games immediately following the hydration breaks.
"It breaks the match almost into four quarters," England manager Thomas Tuchel reflected. "And I think it changes the characteristic of the match more than I thought."
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UEFA, European football's governing body, has already confirmed it will not implement hydration breaks in either the Champions League or Euro 2028, returning to the previous approach of assessing conditions on a match-by-match basis and pausing only when considered necessary.
FIFA will now weigh a similar decision ahead of the 2030 World Cup, which will be hosted across Morocco, Portugal and Spain, with celebratory fixtures also taking place in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.