"For us, it is purely a sporting matter": Gianni Infantino defends FIFA's World Cup hydration breaks

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended the controversial hydration breaks introduced at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting they are being implemented solely for sporting reasons and not for commercial gain. The mandatory three-minute stoppages, scheduled around the 22nd and 67th minutes of every match, have sparked widespread debate among players, coaches and supporters throughout the tournament. Critics have argued that the breaks disrupt the natural flow of matches and conveniently create additional windows for television advertisements, leading to accusations that FIFA is prioritising broadcasters' interests. However, Infantino strongly rejected those claims, stating that FIFA does not earn "a single extra dollar" from the stoppages and that existing

commercial agreements remain unchanged. He described the initiative as a "purely sporting matter" aimed at safeguarding players' health amid the demanding summer conditions across the United States, Canada and Mexico. "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.

FIFA introduced universal hydration breaks to ensure equal playing conditions for all teams, regardless of whether matches are held in open-air venues, air-conditioned stadiums or cooler climates. While managers such as Thomas Tuchel and Marcelo Bielsa have questioned the need for blanket implementation, others believe the pauses provide players with a valuable opportunity to recover and maintain high-intensity performances. Infantino also indicated that FIFA could consider retaining hydration breaks at future World Cups, with the governing body planning a thorough assessment of their impact once the tournament concludes.

Gianni Infantino insists Fifa are gaining "no additional revenue" from the controversial hydration breaks at the World Cup. pic.twitter.com/brPWflYvCm

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 24, 2026

Hydration breaks could become permanent feature at future FIFA tournaments

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has suggested that hydration breaks introduced at the 2026 FIFA World Cup may become a lasting feature of future international tournaments, citing player welfare and competitive fairness as key considerations. The mandatory three-minute stoppages, currently taking place around the 22nd and 67th minutes of every match, were implemented to help players cope with the demanding summer conditions across the United States, Canada and Mexico.Addressing criticism that the breaks disrupt the rhythm of matches and create additional commercial opportunities, Infantino reiterated that FIFA derives no extra financial benefit from the pauses. He maintained that the initiative was adopted solely for sporting reasons, stressing that all commercial agreements had been finalized well before the tournament began.

Infantino emphasized the importance of maintaining uniform conditions for all participating teams, regardless of whether matches are played in open-air stadiums, climate-controlled venues or cooler regions. He acknowledged that the breaks could potentially influence tactical decisions and match outcomes but said FIFA would conduct a comprehensive review once the tournament concludes.

“Can it have an impact on the result? I don't know, perhaps, possible. Is it something bad or good? I don't know, we are going to analyse everything,” Infantino said, indicating that the governing body remains open-minded about the long-term implications of the policy.Should FIFA's post-tournament assessment conclude that hydration breaks have positively impacted player performance and well-being, they could be incorporated into future World Cups and other FIFA competitions as a permanent player welfare measure.