FIFA's global football development chief Arsène Wenger said Saturday that the future of mandatory hydration breaks at the 2026 World Cup remains undecided. The three-minute pauses midway through each half did not alter match results or disrupt play flow, Wenger noted, but FIFA will analyze their impact after the tournament.

The breaks sparked significant backlash from fans and former players, with loud jeers heard inside stadiums. FIFA mandated them for every game — including four indoor venues in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, and Vancouver — for consistency, regardless of weather. Coaches exploited the intervals as tactical timeouts.

Broadcasters view the breaks as commercial opportunities. Fox projects at least $250 million in hydration-break ad revenue for the U.S. broadcast. The breaks were introduced to protect players from summer heat across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, but their universal application drew criticism.

Spain faces Argentina in Sunday's final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, marking Spain's second outdoor match. FIFA first used cooling breaks at the 2014 Brazil World Cup after a labor court ruling; today most leagues apply weather-dependent rules at referees' discretion.