Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has voiced concern over FIFA’s new hydration breaks at the 2026 World Cup. He said the frequent stoppages interrupt the flow of matches and make games more difficult for teams.
Speaking before Argentina’s Group J match against Austria in Dallas on Monday, Scaloni said the mandatory three minute breaks in each half have changed how matches unfold and given coaches more chances to make tactical changes.
“There are no easy games, especially in the group stage,” Scaloni told reporters on Sunday.
“Historically, and now also with the 48-team format, the group stage has always been hard. Now with the conditions of the heat and the hydration break, the game is stopped constantly.”
Scaloni first suggested that the breaks could help smaller teams by allowing them extra time to reorganise and recover during matches.
“Perhaps it gives a hand to the weaker team because they have time to fix things. They have time to adjust,” he said.
He later explained that the stoppages can benefit both sides. Coaches can use the breaks to assess the game and make tactical changes before halftime.
“The ‘four-period’ concept is real. Between the time players arrive and leave, we only have three-and-a-half minutes at halftime to talk to them,” Scaloni said.
“Everything that I have in my mind can change depending on these 22 or 23 minutes. We have people analysing the game and we look for solutions. It’s what you do in a normal halftime.”
The 48 year old admitted that adjusting to the new system has been difficult.
“It’s strange to adapt to that. Eventually it will become normal, but right now it feels unusual because the flow of the game is broken up,” he said.
FIFA brought in mandatory hydration breaks for every World Cup match this summer as part of efforts to protect players from extreme heat in several host cities. The breaks apply in all games, regardless of the weather.
Argentina go into Monday’s match after a comfortable 3-0 win over Algeria in their opening game. Lionel Messi scored all three goals. Austria also started with a victory after beating Jordan 2-1. Both sides have three points in Group J.
Scaloni expects a tough challenge against Ralf Rangnick’s team as both nations aim to move closer to the knockout stage.
“Austria have very good players. They’re a great team, high pressure, a vertical team,” Scaloni said.
“We have seen they are an opponent to be taken into account. It will be complicated.”
Despite several surprise results in the first round of matches, Scaloni believes the traditional football powers will remain among the main contenders for the trophy.
“The great powers will be there. There are many that can compete and without a doubt this is going to be a tough World Cup,” he said.
