Infantino defends World Cup hydration breaks after England fans boo mid-match stoppages

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended the use of mandatory hydration breaks at the 2026 World Cup, saying the governing body will decide whether to keep them in future tournaments “based on this experience” — but stopped short of committing to any changes.

The mid-half stoppages, introduced to protect players in hot conditions, have been applied universally throughout the tournament regardless of weather or venue, including in air-conditioned stadiums with closed roofs. That blanket approach has drawn sustained criticism from fans, pundits, and coaches across the competition.

Frustration boiled over during England’s group-stage match against Ghana in Boston, where audible boos rang around the stadium after a hydration break followed closely on the heels of an injury stoppage — effectively halting play twice in quick succession. Former England striker Alan Shearer called the situation “nonsense”, saying: “There’s been nearly two minutes of stoppages already. It seems crazy for the referee not to just say let’s have the break now. Goodness me.”

Infantino pushed back against suggestions that the breaks serve as a vehicle for additional advertising revenue. “Broadcasters maybe generate more, but for us, we make zero additional revenues,” he said. He argued instead that the pauses benefit players and the quality of the game itself.

“Maybe the coach can reassess certain situations, correct certain mistakes,” Infantino said. “The players get a little rest and come back in full speed. Well, is that bad necessarily? Maybe it’s good. We’ve never seen 90 minutes in a tournament like this played in such intensity. Until the last second of the match, players attack — and maybe, maybe not, but maybe it’s also a bit thanks to this little break.”

On the decision to apply breaks universally rather than only in hot conditions, Infantino argued that selective use would create an uneven playing field. “If we were to use hydration breaks only in those matches where it was too hot and not in the other matches, we would give an advantage or a disadvantage to some of the coaches or some of the teams,” he explained. “Why would the coach have the opportunity to influence the game in one match just because it’s hot and in another match where it’s a bit less hot, he wouldn’t have this opportunity?”

With the tournament still ongoing, no formal decision on the future of the breaks has been announced. Infantino’s comments suggest FIFA is monitoring the reaction closely, but any policy change is unlikely before the competition concludes.