Infantino Defends FIFA Hydration Breaks at World Cup

Gianni Infantino rebuts claims FIFA profits from hydration breaks, emphasizing player welfare and fairness at the World Cup amid growing criticism.

Gianni Infantino has strongly defended the mandatory hydration breaks introduced at the World Cup, denying accusations that FIFA has implemented these pauses for financial gain. Fans and pundits alike have expressed their criticism towards these mandatory stops, arguing that they disrupt the flow of matches and serve as additional commercial breaks for broadcasters.

Infantino has firmly rejected claims suggesting that the three-minute hydration breaks, scheduled during the 22nd and 67th minutes of play, are primarily aimed at generating advertising revenue. Reports had indicated that some advertising slots were being sold for $750,000 during matches involving the United States, leading many supporters to believe the breaks were a commercial decision.

In an interview, Infantino explained, “There is no additional revenue for FIFA, as all commercial agreements were signed well in advance. So, this is not a financial issue for us. For us, it is purely a sporting matter.” He asserted that the hydration breaks were essential for player welfare during what is a physically demanding tournament.

With teams facing the taxing schedule of up to eight matches within 39 days, fatigue poses a real concern. Infantino elaborated, stating, “The main reason is the heat, but we also have to understand that in a competition like the World Cup, played over 39 days, having a moment to rest is extremely important.” This emphasis on player safety underlined his rationale for the pauses.

Furthermore, Infantino pointed out that these breaks ensure fairness across all matches in the tournament. Allowing coaches the opportunity to make tactical adjustments only in exceptionally hot conditions could lead to an uneven playing field. He highlighted this by saying, “It’s very difficult to accept that a coach might have the opportunity to influence a match by making adjustments simply because it’s hotter, while in another match, where the temperature is slightly lower, the same coach doesn’t have the same opportunity.”

Despite the ongoing criticism and frustration expressed by players and coaches regarding the breaks potentially disrupting the rhythm of the game, FIFA remains committed to maintaining these automatic stoppages for the duration of the current tournament. Looking ahead, future competitions may see a different approach, as UEFA has already disclosed plans to tie hydration breaks to actual temperature readings for Euro 2028, rather than enforcing them as mandatory. It remains to be seen if FIFA will adopt a similarly flexible policy in the future.