Gianni Infantino, Defends Hydration Break at World Cup 2026: It's for Player Safety, Not Profit
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has responded to criticism regarding the hydration break at the 2026 World Cup, stressing that it is for the safety of the players in the extreme heat, not for commercial profit.
The implementation of the hydration break in the current FIFA World Cup 2026 is being hotly discussed, especially since the opinion of the public and football experts are divided about it. In the current system, there are two stoppages per match—one per half—to give teams and players a chance to rehydrate, a move criticized by some such as Marcelo Bielsa and Jurgen Klopp. According to them, it breaks the rhythm of the game and changes the course of the match. It is also rumored that this move favors the side of broadcasters and commercial interests.
<figure style="margin:2rem 0;overflow:hidden;border:1px solid #e2e2e2;background:#f9f9f9"><img src="https://tmw-storage-auto.tcccdn.com/storage/tuttomercatoweb.com/img_notizie/thumb3/19/19271426f7878e72e56a09b19f3bba0d-98234-961o64o1737o840z0e12.jpeg" alt="Image" style="width:100%;height:auto;object-fit:contain" loading="lazy" /></figure>The controversy has not stopped even a few days since the start of the tournament. That's why FIFA President Gianni Infantino himself appeared and clarified the issue. "The main reason for these breaks is because of the extreme heat, especially since the World Cup lasts 39 days and there are teams that play up to eight matches. It is very important that the athletes have a moment of rest," explained Infantino. He added, "FIFA has no extra income here because all the commercial deals were signed long before the tournament. This is not a financial matter; it is a matter of the safety and health of the players."
In conclusion, Infantino also emphasized that this edition of the World Cup was very special, which he said was one of the most successful in history. Despite the ongoing discussion, FIFA has firmly maintained that the hydration break will remain for the sake of each player and the game itself.
