FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended the use of mandatory hydration breaks at the World Cup, saying the measure was introduced solely for sporting reasons and not to generate additional revenue.
The three-minute breaks, held in the 22nd and 67th minutes of every match, were introduced to help players cope with high temperatures across North America. However, the policy has faced criticism from players, coaches and supporters since the tournament began.
The stoppages have also created extra advertising opportunities for broadcasters, prompting debate over whether commercial interests are influencing the game. Some viewers have complained about being exposed to additional commercials during the breaks.
In a statement on Wednesday, Gianni Infantino rejected suggestions that FIFA stood to benefit financially.
"There is no additional revenue for FIFA, as all commercial agreements were signed well in advance. So, this is not a financial issue for us. For us, it is purely a sporting matter," the FIFA president said.
The breaks allow coaching staff to deliver tactical instructions during matches, something critics argue disrupts the flow of play and changes the character of the sport.
England manager Thomas Tuchel said the additional stoppage "interrupts and changes the identity of the football match". Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa expressed similar concerns, arguing that dividing games into shorter segments removes one of football's defining features.
Others have supported the principle behind the rule while questioning its universal application. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente and Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk said player welfare should remain the priority in extreme heat, but suggested the breaks may be unnecessary in cooler conditions or at covered stadiums.
Gianni Infantino said the demands of a World Cup schedule justified the measure.
"The main reason is the heat, but we also have to understand that in a competition like the FIFA World Cup, played over 39 days, with teams potentially playing eight matches in those 39 days, having a moment to rest is extremely important," the FIFA president said.
He added that FIFA wanted to ensure all teams competed under the same conditions throughout the tournament.
"What matters even more to us is ensuring that all teams, in every match, are playing under the same conditions.
"It's very difficult to accept that a coach might have the opportunity to influence a match by making adjustments simply because it's hotter, while in another match, where the temperature is slightly lower, the same coach doesn't have the same opportunity."
The FIFA president also dismissed concerns that the breaks reduce the quality or intensity of matches, arguing that players have continued to perform at a high level throughout games despite the additional stoppages.
