DistantNews
Support us
2026 World Cup: Infantino defends hydration breaks
🇬🇷 Greece /Sports

2026 World Cup: Infantino defends hydration breaks

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the 2026 World Cup's hydration breaks, stating they protect players from heat.
  • He denied claims that the breaks, occurring at the 22nd and 67th minutes, are motivated by financial gain.
  • Infantino emphasized that the breaks ensure fair playing conditions for all teams amid demanding schedules and high temperatures.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has firmly defended the introduction of hydration breaks during the 2026 World Cup, dismissing suggestions that the pauses are driven by commercial interests. The breaks, scheduled for the 22nd and 67th minutes of each match, have drawn criticism from some who believe they are primarily for advertising revenue.

There are no additional revenues for FIFA, as all commercial agreements were signed much earlier. Therefore, this is not a financial issue for us. For us, it is purely a sporting issue.

— Gianni InfantinoDenying that the hydration breaks are motivated by financial gain.

Infantino stated unequivocally that the decision was made purely to safeguard the well-being of the players. He highlighted the demanding nature of the tournament, which spans 39 days and could see teams play up to eight matches. "The main reason is the heat, but we also have to understand that in a tournament like the World Cup... having a little time to rest is extremely important," he explained.

The main reason is the heat, but we also have to understand that in a tournament like the World Cup (FIFA), which takes place in 39 days, with teams that may play eight matches in these 39 days, having a little time to rest is extremely important.

— Gianni InfantinoExplaining the necessity of hydration breaks due to heat and tournament schedule.

Addressing the financial concerns, Infantino asserted that no additional revenue is generated for FIFA from these breaks, as all commercial agreements were finalized long before the decision. "For us, it is purely a sporting issue," he insisted, emphasizing that the primary goal is player protection. He also stressed the importance of maintaining equal conditions for all competitors.

What is even more important for us is to ensure that all teams, in every match, play under the same conditions.

— Gianni InfantinoHighlighting the importance of fairness and equal playing conditions.

"What is even more important for us is to ensure that all teams, in every match, play under the same conditions," Infantino said. He argued that allowing temperature variations to influence game dynamics would be unfair to coaches and teams. The breaks ensure that regardless of minor fluctuations in temperature, all teams face similar environmental challenges throughout the tournament.

It is very difficult to accept that a coach can have the opportunity to influence a game by making adjustments simply because it is hotter, while in another game, where the temperature is slightly lower, the same coach does not have the same opportunity.

— Gianni InfantinoArguing against allowing temperature variations to create unequal competitive environments.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog