FIFA to assess hydration breaks after World Cup, says Wenge

FIFA will conduct a thorough review of the hydration breaks implemented during the World Cup to assess their impact on the competition, according to Arsene Wenger. The decision to incorporate scheduled water breaks into matches has generated considerable discussion among coaches, with some, like Uruguay's Marcelo Bielsa, expressing reservations about the breaks disrupting the flow of the game.

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Some people did not like it at times. We will analyse it after the World Cup, but I did not feel that these breaks changed the results of the tournament.

Wenger, speaking at the final press conference of FIFA's Technical Study Group, indicated that match data would be examined to ascertain whether these breaks had any discernible effect on the tournament's outcomes. "Some people did not like it at times," Wenger acknowledged, "but I did not feel that these breaks changed the results of the tournament."

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In certain games, they were badly needed. When stadiums had closed roofs, there were complaints, but at the beginning of the tournament we decided to introduce them in every match to ensure there was no difference between games. We have not concluded yet, but I promise there will be one.

He further elaborated that while the breaks were sometimes necessary, particularly in stadiums with closed roofs, they were consistently applied across all matches to ensure fairness. FIFA has not yet reached a conclusion on the matter but has promised a comprehensive analysis following the tournament's conclusion. Wenger also addressed concerns regarding the logistical challenges and demanding schedule of the World Cup, which some feared could compromise the standard of play. However, he personally disagreed with this assessment, believing that the tournament had showcased games of a very high caliber.

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Logistically, things were obviously very different, and before the tournament, FIFA had some concerns that these factors could impact the matches. But personally, I do not share that opinion. I believe we have witnessed games of a very high level here.