Zurich: FIFA President Gianni Infantino has announced that the organization is not receiving any financial gain from the implementation of water breaks during the World Cup matches. This clarification comes after widespread speculation about the motive behind the introduction of breaks. According to Thai News Agency, Infantino emphasized that the decision to introduce water breaks was made purely for sporting and health reasons, rather than for financial benefit. The 2026 World Cup was the first tournament to feature these breaks, occurring around the 22nd and 67th minutes of each half, as a response to the challenging hot weather conditions. Despite criticism that the water breaks were potentially disruptive and served commercial interests, Infantino reiterated that FIFA's existing commercial agreements were finalized well in advance, confirming that the breaks were solely for the players' well-being. This move was aimed at ensuring that players could maintain optimal performance levels in the heat, withou t any commercial influence.
