We don’t make extra money from it

FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the introduction of hydration breaks in the FIFA World Cup, insisting that the International Federation’s motive behind them is purely sporting and not related to commercial interests, since FIFA has signed all commercial agreements in advance and does not earn any additional revenue from advertising during the break period.
The mandatory three-minute pauses, which were implemented in the 22nd and 67th minutes of each match in the tournament, have drawn criticism from players, coaches and fans since the first round of matches.
The hydration break, which was introduced to help players deal with high temperatures across North America, opened additional advertising windows for broadcast networks.
This fueled debate about its impact on the game, with some viewers complaining about being exposed to commercials during the three-minute pauses.
Infantino said in a statement on Wednesday, “There is no additional revenue for FIFA, as all commercial agreements were signed well in advance. Therefore, this is not a financial issue for us. For us, it is a purely mathematical matter.”
Pause periods allow coaching staff to provide tactical instructions during play, a shift that critics say interrupts the rhythm of the match and fundamentally changes the nature of the game.
England coach Thomas Tuchel said that the hydration break period “disrupts the rhythm of the match and changes the identity of the game,” while Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa believed that dividing matches into shorter periods robs the sport of its basic character.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente and Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk supported the purpose behind this rule in extremely hot weather, but they doubted the extent of its need in cold climates and in covered stadiums.
“The main reason is the heat, but we also have to understand that in a tournament like the World Cup, which is held over 39 days, with teams potentially playing eight matches in that 39-day period, having a moment to rest is crucial,” Infantino said.
He added, “What matters most to us is ensuring that all teams play, in every match, under the same conditions.”
Infantino stressed that the hydration breaks did not reduce the pace of the matches, noting that the players were able to maintain a high level of performance throughout the matches.