FIFA's chief of global football development, Arsene Wenger, said the governing body will examine how the newly introduced hydration breaks have affected World Cup matches.
The breaks, rolled out across the tournament in Qatar, were meant to safeguard player welfare in hot conditions but quickly became a talking point among coaches.
Uruguay's Marcelo Bielsa was among those who questioned the practice, arguing that splitting games into quarters added little and detracted from the flow of play.
The Athletic's early statistical review of the breaks yielded mixed results, leaving the impact on game momentum difficult to quantify.
Wenger defended the measure, noting that in venues with limited shade the pauses were essential to keep conditions consistent for all teams.
He also pushed back against concerns that travel schedules and reduced rest days had compromised the quality of football, pointing to the steady improvement shown by sides such as Argentina and Spain.
What Comes Next
The review will be based on data collected throughout the competition, with Wenger promising a thorough analysis before any permanent changes are considered.
If the findings confirm that the breaks have had negligible effect on performance, FIFA may decide to retain them as a standard precaution.
For now, the conversation remains open, and the football community will watch closely as the tournament draws to a close.