SOCCER: Infantino says World Cup hydration breaks purely sporting, not commercial

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended the introduction of mandatory hydration breaks at the World Cup, saying the decision is based solely on sporting considerations and not commercial gain.

The three-minute stoppages, scheduled in the 22nd and 67th minutes of every match, were introduced to help players manage high temperatures across North America during the tournament. However, the measure has faced criticism from players, coaches, and fans since the opening rounds.

Some critics argue the breaks disrupt the rhythm of matches and provide additional advertising opportunities for broadcasters, fueling concerns that commercial interests may be benefiting indirectly. Viewers have also complained about being shown advertisements during the stoppages.

Infantino rejected these claims, emphasizing that FIFA does not receive additional revenue from the breaks.

“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,” Infantino said in a statement on Wednesday.

The FIFA president explained that the breaks are intended to protect player welfare in extreme heat while also ensuring fairness across all matches.

“The main reason is the heat, but we also have to understand that in a competition like the (FIFA) World Cup, played over 39 days, with teams potentially playing eight matches in those 39 days, having a moment to rest is extremely important,” he said.

He also stressed that the rule ensures consistent conditions for all teams, regardless of weather variations between venues.

“What matters even more to us is ensuring that all teams, in every match, are playing under the same conditions,” Infantino added. “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 FIFA’s defense, several high-profile coaches have voiced concerns. England manager Thomas Tuchel said the breaks “interrupt and change the identity of the football match,” while Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa argued that splitting matches into segments alters the sport’s fundamental nature.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente and Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk have acknowledged the need for player safety in extreme heat but questioned whether the breaks are necessary in cooler conditions or at indoor or covered stadiums.

Infantino, however, insisted that the stoppages have not reduced the overall intensity of matches, arguing that players continue to perform at a high level throughout games. -Reporting by Suramya Kaushik in Bengaluru; Editing by Aidan Lewis/Reuters