FIFA President Under Fire as He Tries to Defend Hydration Breaks Amidst Mounting Criticism
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended the introduction of mandatory hydration breaks at the 2026 World Cup, stating that the organization gains "absolutely nothing" from the stoppages. The breaks, which will be held in the middle of every half, are designed to allow players to hydrate in unpredictable climates across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Infantino emphasized that the decision is a sporting matter, not a financial one, as all commercial agreements were signed in advance. He cited the heat and the need for equal conditions for all teams as the main reasons for implementing the breaks. Infantino believes that the breaks will help prevent coaches from gaining an unfair advantage by making adjustments due to varying temperatures.
The concept of hydration breaks has been used since 2014, but FIFA's decision to make them mandatory in every match has sparked criticism from fans, who accuse the organization of creating opportunities for broadcast partners to run commercials. UEFA has confirmed that it will not adopt a similar approach in the Champions League or the 2028 European Championships, instead opting to use hydration breaks on a case-by-case basis.
The debate over hydration breaks is likely to continue, with FIFA facing pressure to revisit its decision ahead of the 2030 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain. The organization's stance may influence other governing bodies, which will be challenged to take a similar stance on the issue.
Infantino emphasized that the decision is a sporting matter, not a financial one, as all commercial agreements were signed in advance. He cited the heat and the need for equal conditions for all teams as the main reasons for implementing the breaks. Infantino believes that the breaks will help prevent coaches from gaining an unfair advantage by making adjustments due to varying temperatures.
The concept of hydration breaks has been used since 2014, but FIFA's decision to make them mandatory in every match has sparked criticism from fans, who accuse the organization of creating opportunities for broadcast partners to run commercials. UEFA has confirmed that it will not adopt a similar approach in the Champions League or the 2028 European Championships, instead opting to use hydration breaks on a case-by-case basis.
The debate over hydration breaks is likely to continue, with FIFA facing pressure to revisit its decision ahead of the 2030 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain. The organization's stance may influence other governing bodies, which will be challenged to take a similar stance on the issue.
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