Infantino defends hydration breaks in the World Cup and admits continuity.

The introduction of controversial mandatory hydration breaks at the 2026 World Cup is igniting international football, with fans and critics expressing unprecedented discontent in stadiums and on social media. Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, has remained steadfast in defending this measure, assuring that it is here to stay and may become a rule in future competitions, regardless of weather conditions or fan reactions.

The FIFA has, for the first time, imposed mandatory three-minute breaks halfway through each half in all matches of the 2026 World Cup, citing concerns about player welfare and rising temperatures. These interruptions, which occur regardless of whether the match is held in air-conditioned stadiums, have faced fierce criticism from players, coaches, and fans, who complain about a disruption in the flow of the game and the alteration of high-level football. Despite this, Gianni Infantino revealed in an interview with SNTV that FIFA is open to maintaining and even expanding this rule for future tournaments, justifying that there is no financial motivation associated with it: “There is no additional revenue for FIFA,” stated the organization’s president, attempting to dispel accusations of commercial exploitation of the breaks, which in some countries have been used to air additional advertisements.

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The impact of this decision goes far beyond a simple break for water. The stoppages, initially designed to protect athletes from extreme temperatures, are now being implemented widely, even in controlled environments, which has generated noticeable frustration among fans present in the stadiums. The atmosphere can become hostile, with audible boos and protests whenever the referee interrupts the game for another hydration break. Critics accuse FIFA of destroying the identity of the game by introducing an artificial element that disrupts the natural flow of football and favors interests outside of the sporting spectacle.

In response to the wave of dissent, Infantino emphasized the positive side of the measure, arguing that the breaks help to increase the intensity and quality of the games: “Perhaps the coach can reassess certain situations, correct mistakes. The players rest a bit and return at full strength. Is that necessarily bad? Maybe it’s even good,” argued the FIFA president, highlighting that never before have “90 minutes in a tournament been played with such intensity.” Infantino also suggested that the breaks could be one of the factors responsible for the increased pace and pressing capacity of teams until the last second of the match: “And maybe, or maybe not, but perhaps it is thanks to this small break that players have and then can return to the pitch and show what they can do.”

Furthermore, Infantino made it clear that FIFA intends to standardize the application of breaks and avoid discrimination, stating that “it would not be fair to have hydration breaks in some games and not in others,” regardless of the specific conditions of each stadium or city. However, this position did not quell the criticism from those who consider the existence of these interruptions absurd in air-conditioned stadiums, where the need for extra hydration is, at best, debatable.

The future of this controversial measure is now in the hands of FIFA, which will assess the impact of mandatory breaks during the 2026 World Cup before making a definitive decision for upcoming major competitions. Should this rule become permanent, international football could witness a profound transformation in its traditional format, with direct consequences for the fan experience, teams’ strategic planning, and even the business of television advertising. The coming months will be crucial to determine whether FIFA yields to the pressure from purists or firmly imposes a new era of mandatory stoppages in the beautiful game.

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