22/06/2026 03:23 - Deportes
Director técnico argentino en conferencia de prensa del Mundial 2026, gestualizando mientras habla sobre las pausas de hidratación, entorno profesional con micrófonos y logos de FIFA
Straightforward and direct, with the candor his players recognize in Argentina's national team, Lionel Scaloni admitted that "it's hard to adapt" to hydration breaks because "the match becomes a bit choppy" and stated: "It's a bit tricky to see where this World Cup is heading."
The world champion coach at Qatar 2022 spoke openly for the first time about FIFA's new measure implementation, during a press conference on Sunday, June 21, 2026 in Dallas, ahead of the match against Austria on Matchday 2 of Group J.
Hydration breaks are a measure implemented by FIFA to protect player health during matches played in extreme heat and humidity conditions. They consist of temporary game interruptions, usually around the 30-minute mark of each half, allowing footballers to rehydrate and recover strength.
In the context of World Cup 2026, hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, these breaks have become particularly relevant due to high temperatures recorded at several venues, especially in the southern United States.
The native of Pujato, Santa Fe, aged 48, explained in detail his vision on how these interruptions affect game development:
"The group stage has always been historically difficult for everyone. Today the heat influences things, the match stops constantly and that gives a helping hand to the weaker team because they have time to recover. The match becomes a bit choppy."
Scaloni clarified his statement: "Maybe I'm confused when I talk about the benefit for the weaker team. It also helps the attacking team to make corrections."
Regarding the actual duration of matches, the manager was emphatic: "That four quarters thing is real. Think that between arriving and leaving, at halftime we only have three and a half minutes to talk to the players. But it's been done this way and here we are."
The Argentine coach explained how he manages the team during these interruptions:
When asked about the surprising results so far, Scaloni stated:
"I think the big teams will be there at the end. Without a doubt it will be a difficult World Cup."
Regarding recent upsets, he said candidly: "It's a bit tricky to see where this World Cup is heading."
While waiting for Enzo Fernández's press conference to end, Scaloni watched the end of Uruguay 2-2 Cape Verde. When asked how he manages to follow so many matches, he responded: "Those of us who can, watch them all. You learn a lot, we see game situations and we like it."
Argentina's national team prepares to face Austria on Matchday 2 of Group J at World Cup 2026. The match will be played in Dallas, where an impressive turnout of Argentine supporters has already flooded the city.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
