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Wenger: World Cup Hydration Breaks Did Not Change Results
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Sports

Wenger: World Cup Hydration Breaks Did Not Change Results

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Context piece
  • FIFA's Arsène Wenger believes hydration breaks in the World Cup did not significantly alter match results.
  • He stated that a full analysis will be conducted after the tournament concludes.
  • Wenger also noted the tournament aimed to provide opportunities for more teams, referencing the expansion to 48 nations.

Arsène Wenger, FIFA's head of Global Football Development, suggested that the hydration breaks implemented during the current World Cup did not appear to influence match outcomes. However, he emphasized that a more thorough analysis would be conducted once the tournament concludes.

Speaking at a press conference for the FIFA Technical Study Group held at MetLife Stadium, Wenger stated, "It seemed to me that they did not modify the results; we will reach conclusions when the tournament ends and we analyze it."

It seemed to me that they did not modify the results; we will reach conclusions when the tournament ends and we analyze it.

— Arsene WengerCommenting on the impact of hydration breaks during the World Cup.

Wenger acknowledged that the hydration breaks were not popular with spectators in covered stadiums but defended them as a "medical necessity" due to the high temperatures experienced during some matches. FIFA officials declined to answer further questions on the topic, indicating it had been sufficiently addressed.

The FIFA Technical Study Group also highlighted other tournament developments, including a reduction in time-wasting during goal kicks and medical attention on the field. They noted a doubling of goals scored from outside the box compared to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, despite a similar number of shots. Tactical trends observed included a greater tendency for teams to pressure opposing goal kicks with two forwards and improved success rates in pressing, while offensive set-piece performance declined.

medical necessity

— Arsene WengerDescribing the reason for implementing hydration breaks in high-temperature matches.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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