FIFA president Gianni Infantino is standing behind the controversial hydration breaks introduced at this year’s World Cup, saying the decision was made entirely for sporting reasons and had nothing to do with generating extra revenue.
The breaks — mandatory three-minute stoppages built into the 22nd and 67th minutes of every match — have faced a wave of criticism from players, coaches, and fans since the tournament’s opening round of games.
Designed to help athletes deal with high temperatures across North America, the pauses have also created new advertising opportunities for broadcasters, which has sparked debate about whether commercial interests played a role in the decision.
Viewers have complained about being subjected to commercials during the stoppages, adding fuel to the controversy.
Infantino addressed the issue directly in a statement Wednesday. “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 said.
Critics have also pointed out that the breaks allow coaching staff to deliver tactical instructions mid-game — something they argue disrupts the natural flow of matches and changes the fundamental character of the sport.
England manager Thomas Tuchel said the break “interrupts and changes the identity of the football match,” while Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa argued that splitting matches into shorter segments strips away one of the game’s core characteristics.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente and Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk expressed support for the rule when extreme heat is a factor, but both questioned whether it was necessary in cooler conditions or at indoor venues.
Infantino defended the policy further, saying the grueling nature of the tournament made rest essential. “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 argued that consistency across all matches was a key priority. “What matters even more to us is ensuring that all teams, in every match, are playing under the same conditions,” Infantino said.
“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,” he added.
Infantino also pushed back on the idea that the breaks have lowered the quality of play, saying the evidence suggests players are sustaining a high level of performance throughout games.
