In a surprising shift, FIFA has announced that fans will no longer be allowed to bring water bottles into stadiums for the upcoming 2026 World Cup in North America.
The decision comes just three weeks after the organization’s official Stadium Code of Conduct stated that empty, transparent, reusable plastic bottles of up to 1 liter could be permitted.
According to emails obtained by The Athletic, ticket holders were recently informed that the rules have been updated, now explicitly stating: “reusable water bottles are no longer permitted at the FIFA World Cup 2026™ stadiums.”
The revised code of conduct, modified on June 2, eliminates the previous allowance for empty bottles and reads: “For the avoidance of doubt, reusable water bottles may not be brought into the stadium.”
Additionally, other types of bottles will also be banned due to safety concerns regarding objects being thrown within the venues.
This policy change is likely to generate controversy, especially since it restricts fans from refilling empty bottles at designated water stations during matches.
During the recent Club World Cup held in the United States, bottled water was sold for prices ranging from $4 to $6, raising alarms about heat-related issues.
In a statement cited by The Athletic, FIFA justified the new policy by asserting that prohibiting bottles is essential to mitigate risks and injuries for both players and attendees.
FIFA added that many venues already restrict outside bottles for safety reasons, and this measure will now be uniformly applied across all tournament stadiums.
To address concerns about heat and humidity in various host cities, FIFA plans to implement heat mitigation strategies, including misting stations, cooling areas, and hydration points throughout stadium environments while ensuring consistent pricing for water sold inside.
This policy update comes amid ongoing worries about extreme weather conditions in several U.S. host cities, with studies indicating that match conditions could pose health risks to both players and spectators.
While FIFA claims that exceptions will only be made for medical needs and infant care, the abrupt change has faced backlash from supporter groups who argue that fan welfare should take precedence over stadium regulations.
The Football Supporters’ Association criticized the decision, stating it puts “fans last and not fans first,” and raised alarms about safety and affordability during extreme weather events.
FIFA has yet to provide a comprehensive explanation for the rapid policy shift, despite earlier assurances that limited allowances for water bottles would be granted under specific weather conditions.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong