Heat, drinks breaks help smaller teams at World Cup: Scaloni

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Argentina’s head coach Lionel Scaloni highlighted how heat and hydration breaks in the expanded 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup format help level the playing field by providing recovery time, especially benefiting smaller teams. These adjustments, along with the tournament’s increased matches and challenging conditions, contribute to greater unpredictability and competitiveness as Argentina prepares for its next group stage game against Austria.

Argentina’s head coach Lionel Scaloni emphasized the impact of heat and hydration breaks on the dynamics of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, particularly benefiting smaller teams, as the tournament enters its group stage. Speaking ahead of Argentina’s second match against Austria on Monday in Arlington, Texas, Scaloni highlighted the unique challenges presented by the expanded tournament format and environmental conditions.

Argentina, the reigning champions from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, began their title defense with a commanding 3-0 victory over Algeria, propelled by a hat-trick from captain Lionel Messi. However, Scaloni cautioned against underestimating any opponent, noting that “there is no such thing as an easy game” in this edition of the World Cup.

The 2026 tournament marks a significant change, featuring 48 teams—the largest field in World Cup history—compared to the 32-team format used in Qatar. This expansion has resulted in more group stage matches, which, according to Scaloni, contributes to a heightened level of difficulty for all teams. He pointed out that the combination of hot weather conditions and mandatory hydration breaks effectively segments matches into four quarters. These three-minute breaks in each half provide additional recovery time, which can level the playing field by aiding less physically dominant teams.

Scaloni referred back to Argentina’s unexpected 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia during the group stage in the previous World Cup as an example of how even favorites can face difficulties early on. He suggested that the current tournament format and environmental factors are fostering similar unpredictability.

Midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who plays for Chelsea, concurred with Scaloni’s assessment. Fernandez remarked that the overall quality of play appears more balanced and competitive compared to the 2022 tournament, with several national teams producing surprising results so far. “I believe today, many national teams are causing a surprise here,” he said, acknowledging the evolving landscape of international soccer.

While the upcoming match against Austria will be held at the Dallas Cowboys’ home stadium, which features a retractable roof mitigating heat concerns, hydration breaks will still be implemented. These measures reflect broader efforts by tournament organizers to address player welfare amid physical demands and varying climate conditions.

As Argentina aims to advance through the group stage and into the knockout rounds, the team remains mindful of the challenges posed by an expanded tournament schedule and the resilience of emerging competitors.

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