World Cup 2026: Gianni Infantino says hydration breaks bring no extra revenue for Fifa’
Managers and coaching staff are allowed to discuss tactics with their players while the breaks are taking place.
Infantino said: “The main reason [for the breaks] is the heat, but we also have to understand that in a competition like the World Cup, played over 39 days, with teams potentially playing eight matches in those 39 days, having a moment to rest is extremely important.
“What matters even more to us is ensuring that all teams, in every match, are playing under the same conditions.
“And it’s very difficult to accept that a coach might have the opportunity to influence a match by making adjustments simply because it is hotter, while in another match, where the temperature is slightly lower, the same coach does not have the same opportunity.
“We want to ensure equal conditions for everyone and that’s why these breaks are implemented in every match.”
Experts have told BBC Sport an average 30-second World Cup advertising slot on Fox Sports costs between $200,000 (£152,000) and $300,000 (£227,000), rising to $750,000 (£567,000) during USA matches and the final stages.
That means advertising during hydration breaks is likely to generate more than $250m (£189m) in the USA alone.
