Gianni Infantino denies financial motive behind World Cup hydration breaks
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has firmly rejected accusations that the mandatory 2026 World Cup hydration breaks are a commercial ploy for additional television advertising revenue.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has strongly defended the introduction of mandatory hydration breaks at the 2026 World Cup against mounting public criticism.
Fans and broadcasters have accused the governing body of creating strategic commercial windows under the guise of player safety. Infantino dismissed these claims, clarifying that all tournament sponsorship and media deals were securely finalized long before the sporting directive was enacted.
The global soccer chief emphasized that the controversial three-minute stoppages, executed midway through each half, serve exclusively to safeguard athlete welfare across unpredictable climates.
He maintained that enforcing the rule uniformly across all 104 matches ensures absolute competitive fairness. According to Infantino, the policy prevents tactical advantages tied to changing weather while successfully preserving high-intensity match play on the pitch.
