Finger: FIFA will review the decision on water break allowances

Frenchman Arsene Wenger, the former Arsenal manager, admitted that the water breaks implemented at the 2026 World Cup were not well received, stating that FIFA would review their impact after the tournament concludes.

FIFA mandated three-minute mandatory water breaks for all matches held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, regardless of weather conditions.

The international football governing body explained that these breaks were introduced to ensure player safety, but critics pointed out that television networks exploited the intervals to generate additional revenue through advertising.

Wenger, who serves as FIFA’s Chief of Football Development, noted that some people were not pleased with the water break system, adding that FIFA would analyze their impact after the World Cup ends.

He continued, “In many matches, particularly when stadiums were covered, the fans were not satisfied with the breaks, but at the start of the tournament, it was decided to apply them universally.”

Experts told BBC Sport that the average cost of a 30-second advertisement during World Cup matches on Fox Sports in the United States ranges between $200,000 (£152,000) and $300,000 (£227,000), rising to $750,000 (£567,000) for matches involving the United States and the final stages.

These intervals served as effective tactical breaks, giving coaches the opportunity to review strategic adjustments with their players.