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.<\/p>\n
Only three weeks ago, FIFA\u2019s official Stadium Code of Conduct<\/a> included a clause which said: \u201cFor the avoidance of doubt, empty, transparent, reusable plastic bottles, up to (1 liter in) capacity, may be brought into the Stadium.\u201d<\/p>\n 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 \u201creusable water bottles are no longer permitted at the FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 stadiums\u201d.<\/p>\n 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: \u201cFor the avoidance of doubt, reusable water bottles may not be brought into the stadium.\u201d<\/p>\n Other types of bottles are also not permitted, due to the risk of causing injury when thrown.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n At the Club World Cup last summer, where players and fans voiced concerns over the heat<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n Fan safety in the heat was a major theme during last summer\u2019s FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. In a 52-page report published in May, World Weather Attribution\u2019s scientists claimed that approximately 26 of the 104 games<\/a> are likely to be played when the host city\u2019s Wet Bulb Global Temperature (WBGT) exceeds 26 degrees Celsius (78.8\u00b0F), with five games at the six-week tournament likely to be played in conditions with a WBGT that exceeds 28\u00b0 C (82.4\u00b0F).<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n FIFA\u2019s position on reusable bottles appears to have evolved multiple times.<\/p>\n