FIFA has performed a last-minute U-turn on its stadium policy for the World Cup, no longer allowing supporters to bring water bottles into venues in North America.
Only three weeks ago, FIFA’s official Stadium Code of Conduct included a clause which said: “For the avoidance of doubt, empty, transparent, reusable plastic bottles, up to (1 liter in) capacity, may be brought into the Stadium.”
However, according to emails seen by The Athletic, FIFA have informed World Cup ticket holders that they have updated the code of conduct and the correspondence told fans that “reusable water bottles are no longer permitted at the FIFA World Cup 2026™ stadiums”.
The code of conduct, which was updated on June 2, has removed the prior guidance permitting an empty and reusable plastic bottle. It now reads: “For the avoidance of doubt, reusable water bottles may not be brought into the stadium.”
Other types of bottles are also not permitted, due to the risk of causing injury when thrown.
The ban on reusable plastic bottles, however, will be controversial, meaning fans can no longer even refill an empty bottle at a water fountain or dispenser.
At the Club World Cup last summer, where players and fans voiced concerns over the heat, FIFA venues charged between $4 and $6 for bottled water. It is not yet known how much FIFA will charge this time around, but it has a long-standing partnership with soft drinks sponsor Coca-Cola, whose water brand Dasani will be sold in World Cup venues.
Fan safety in the heat was a major theme during last summer’s FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. In a 52-page report published in May, World Weather Attribution’s scientists claimed that approximately 26 of the 104 games are likely to be played when the host city’s Wet Bulb Global Temperature (WBGT) exceeds 26 degrees Celsius (78.8°F), with five games at the six-week tournament likely to be played in conditions with a WBGT that exceeds 28° C (82.4°F).
WBGT combines temperature, humidity, wind, and sunlight to provide a measure of heat stress, and it is used by the military, sports scientists, and safety experts to prevent heat-related illnesses.
FIFA’s position on reusable bottles appears to have evolved multiple times.
On May 13, FIFA gave a statement to The Athletic, which said: “FIFA is committed to protecting the health and safety of players, referees, fans, volunteers and staff.”
It added that “spectators will be permitted one factory-sealed water bottle, but only when forecasts indicate elevated temperatures”.
Now, however, FIFA’s email to ticket holders points them to clause 3.1.11 of the stadium code of conduct, which makes no reference to any sealed water bottle being permitted, even in the event of high temperatures.
The policy has only an exemption for “baby milk and sterilised water in containers” or liquids that a fan requires for medical reasons, providing their medical certificate is in English, French or Spanish.
In a statement issued to The Athletic on Thursday evening, FIFA said the organization made the decision to “prohibit bottles to prevent risk and injury to players and attendees”.
They did not explain why the policy was different three weeks ago or what had changed in the meantime.
Their statement continued: “Outside bottles are already prohibited at several of these venues for safety considerations, and FIFA is applying this consideration across its tournament stadiums.
“FIFA works closely with each Host City Committee and local authorities on heat mitigation factors for fans traveling to the stadium, which can include resources such as misting stations, fans, hydration stations, cooling tents, and more around the stadium footprint.
“Inside the stadium footprint, pricing for water bottles for the FIFA World Cup 2026 will remain consistent with other events held at each stadium.”
While FIFA say their policy is in line with some venues, this does not correspond to their approach to the Club World Cup last summer, where fans were permitted to bring empty plastic bottles into many of the same stadiums that will be used for the World Cup.
A spokesperson for the Football Supporters’ Association told The Athletic: “Yet again with this World Cup, it is fans last and not fans first. The heat and humidity is a real concern for fans’ welfare, it should be this that is FIFA’s main focus and not the ability to sell more bottled water at inflated prices.”
Some host cities have been informed and are concerned by the decision. Several of them have spent significant sums and put together highly detailed plans to support World Cup fans in the summer heat outside of venues and across their cities during the tournament, but it is FIFA that makes policy within their venues.
In the U.S., venues close to Kansas City, Boston, Miami, Philadelphia, San Francisco and New York/New Jersey are likely to be higher risk for players and fans, because they do not have roofs.
FIFA have made modifications to help players, notably the introduction of mandatory hydration breaks of three minutes per half, and FIFA have also sought to implement “climate-controlled benches” for the coaches and substitutes at all outdoor matches.