FIFA chief defends mandatory hydration breaks at World Cup

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended the controversial mandatory hydration breaks at the 2026 World Cup, suggesting they may become a permanent feature of future tournaments. The three-minute pauses, introduced at approximately the 22nd minute of each half in every match, have been met with widespread criticism from fans, players, and coaches.

In an interview on Tuesday, June 23, Infantino argued the breaks are solely for sporting reasons and generate no additional revenue for FIFA, as all commercial contracts were signed before the policy was announced in December 2025. He stated the governing body will evaluate the policy after the tournament before deciding on its future use.

The primary justification for the universal application, according to Infantino, is to ensure competitive fairness across the expanded 48-team tournament co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States. He contended that applying breaks only in extreme heat would create an uneven playing field, giving coaches in those matches a tactical opportunity others would not have.

However, the breaks have provoked a significant backlash. Fans in stadiums, including during England's match against Ghana in...