FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended the use of mandatory hydration breaks at the 2026 World Cup, insisting the controversial stoppages are being implemented for sporting and player welfare reasons rather than financial gain.The three-minute breaks, introduced midway through each half of every World Cup match, were designed to help players cope with extreme weather conditions across North America. However, the policy has drawn criticism from coaches, fans and commentators, with many supporters booing when the breaks are called during matches.Critics have argued that the stoppages provide broadcasters with additional opportunities to air advertisements, particularly as some television networks have used the breaks to run commercial spots. Responding to the criticism, Infantino rejected suggestions that FIFA was benefiting financially from the arrangement. There is no additional revenue for FIFA, as all commercial agreements were signed well in advance, he said. This is not a financial issue for us. For us, it is purely a sporting matter.Infantino said the breaks were necessary because of the demands placed on players during a month-long tournament and stressed that FIFA wanted all teams to compete under the same conditions. The main reason is the heat, but we also have to understand that in a competition like the 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.What matters even more to us is ensuring that all teams, in every match, are playing under the same conditions. And its very difficult to accept that a coach might have the opportunity to influence a match by making adjustments simply because it is hotter, while in another match, where the temperature is slightly lower, the same coach does not have the same opportunity.We want to ensure equal conditions for everyone and thats why these breaks are implemented in every match. Infantino also indicated that FIFA has not ruled out using hydration breaks at future World Cups, saying the governing body would assess the policy based on its experience at the current tournament.The breaks have faced opposition from several managers, including England coach Thomas Tuchel, who argued that they disrupt the natural flow of matches. Speaking before Englands goalless draw with Ghana, Tuchel said the stoppages altered the character of football.I had hydration breaks before when it was really, really hot and needed but they were shorter, he said. They were just in a few matches. Now it is a point of fairness to every team. Now it breaks the match almost in four quarters and it changes the characteristic of the match more than I thought.Tuchel acknowledged that the breaks allow coaches additional opportunities to communicate with players but maintained that football is best played without interruptions. I like it as a coach to have influence and have my team together but overall, I think I like football when it is played in one go, in one half. It builds a momentum, it is part of the game.It is hard to build momentum and hard to keep the momentum. This is the battle on the field between the players on the field, it plays out in a longer period of time. It just adds to the characteristic of the beautiful game. It takes away from it. But on a point of fairness, of course it makes sense that everyone gets it.The debate comes amid reports that hydration breaks could generate significant advertising revenue for broadcasters. Industry estimates cited by the BBC suggest a 30-second advertising slot during World Cup coverage on American broadcaster Fox Sports could cost between $200,000 and $300,000, rising to as much as $750,000 during United States matches and the latter stages of the tournament.Despite those figures, Infantino maintained that FIFA's decision was driven solely by sporting considerations and the welfare of players competing in the tournament.The post FIFA makes defends stance after England fans boo World Cup hydration breaks appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.
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