Infantino says World Cup hydration breaks are a sporting measure, not commercial

CAPITAL CITY: Fifa President Gianni Infantino has defended mandatory hydration breaks at the World Cup, saying the pauses were introduced for sporting reasons rather than to generate extra income.

The three-minute stoppages, held in the 22nd and 67th minutes of every match, were brought in to help players deal with high temperatures across North America. However, the measure has faced criticism from players, coaches and fans since the opening round of fixtures.

The breaks have also created additional advertising slots for broadcasters, prompting debate about whether commercial considerations were influencing the tournament schedule. Some viewers have complained about the volume of commercials shown during the stoppages.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Infantino rejected the suggestion that the policy was linked to revenue. "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.

One major criticism of the breaks is that they give coaching staff a chance to deliver tactical instructions during the match. Opponents of the rule say that interrupts momentum and changes the character of the game.

England manager Thomas Tuchel said the extra pause interrupts and changes the identity of a football match, while Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa said dividing games into shorter sections removes a core feature of the sport.

Debate over heat and competitive balance

Other figures in the game have backed the purpose behind the rule in very hot weather, while questioning whether it should apply in milder conditions or at covered stadiums. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente and Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk supported the intention of the measure in extreme heat but raised concerns about using it when conditions are cooler.

Infantino said heat was the main factor behind the policy, but added that rest periods were also important in a tournament lasting 39 days, where teams could play eight matches during that period. "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 also said Fifa wanted all teams to compete under the same conditions in every game, rather than allowing some coaches to benefit from extra opportunities to intervene only when temperatures were higher. "What matters even more to us is ensuring that all teams, in every match, are playing under the same conditions."

"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."

Infantino also said the breaks had not lowered match intensity and suggested players had been able to sustain a high level of performance throughout games.