How one unnecessary rule change sucked the life out of World Cup groups

The article argues that one unnecessary rule change undermined World Cup group dynamics, even as the tournament’s on-field football continued to entertain. It frames the event as a high-quality competition despite off-field disruptions and distractions, including remarks linked to FIFA and the organization’s management of “Hydration Breaks.” The piece describes “Hydration Breaks” as a “farce” and says the match flow was interrupted for a maximum of 22.5 minutes of halting, but not ended at the natural break it deems necessary. It also notes 48-team expansion and “far too many games,” saying the disparity in level has not reduced the tournament and that some less-fancied teams have still produced emotional highs. The article points to mixed VAR use, with moments of excessive scrutiny and others where VAR involvement was described as absent. Overall, it credits football’s resilience while criticizing how the format choices and officiating interruptions affected groups.