Sport: Infantino says cooling breaks are about competition, not commerce

According to Mundo Deportivo, FIFA President Infantino explained the reason for introducing cooling breaks at the FIFA World Cup, emphasizing that the move was made purely for sporting reasons and was not driven by commercial interests.

During the group stage of the FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, all matches included cooling breaks, an arrangement that sparked considerable controversy, with critics suggesting it may have been commercially motivated. FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the introduction of cooling breaks, insisting that, for FIFA, it was entirely a matter of sporting considerations, not commercial interests.

In this tournament, mandatory 3-minute breaks are taken in each match in the 22nd and 67th minutes. Since the start of the tournament, this rule has been criticized by players, coaches, and fans, who believe the cooling breaks disrupt the flow of the game. The measure was intended to help players cope with the high temperatures in North America, but it has also created additional advertising windows for broadcasters.

This further fueled discussions about the impact of cooling breaks on the game, with some viewers complaining about advertisements during the 3-minute interruptions. Infantino said in a statement on Wednesday, "FIFA has no additional revenue because all commercial agreements were signed long ago. Therefore, for us, it's not a financial issue. For us, it's purely a sporting issue."

England coach Thomas Tuchel stated that the extra breaks “interrupt and alter the nature of football.” Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa said that dividing the game into shorter segments eliminates the Sport’s most fundamental characteristics.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente and Netherlands captain Virgil Van Dijk both supported the original intention behind implementing this rule under extreme heat conditions, but they also questioned whether cooling breaks were necessary in cooler weather or in stadiums with roofs.

Infantino stated: "The main reason is the hot weather, but we must also understand that in a tournament like the FIFA World Cup, where the competition lasts 39 days and some teams might play 8 matches within those 39 days, having a period of rest is extremely important."

Infantino also emphasized: "We are more concerned with ensuring that all teams play under the same conditions in every match."

He explained: "If a coach can take advantage of hotter weather in one match to influence the game through tactical adjustments, while that same coach does not have the same opportunity in a slightly cooler match, that is difficult to accept."

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