FIFA has decided that the safest water bottle is one you buy from them inside the stadium, after a last-minute rule change banning spectators from bringing reusable water bottles into World Cup venues. The governing body initially allowed empty, transparent, reusable plastic bottles but has now updated its code of conduct to prohibit them, along with other items like bottles, cups, jars, and cans - ostensibly to prevent the risk of injury if thrown.
“FIFA is committed to protecting the health and safety of all players, referees, fans, volunteers, and staff,” it said, in a statement that somehow makes health and safety sound like an afterthought. “FIFA made the decision to prohibit bottles to prevent risk and injury to players and attendees.” The organization noted that outside bottles are already banned at several venues and that it is simply “applying this consideration across its tournament stadiums.”
Supporters, however, are less concerned about projectiles than about heatstroke, with temperatures at a few venues expected to range between 26C and 28C. FIFA assured fans that measures like misting stations, fans, hydration stations, and cooling tents will be available around the stadium footprint, and that “pricing for water bottles for the FIFA World Cup 2026 will remain consistent with other events held at each stadium” - which is either reassuring or ominous depending on your faith in stadium pricing.
The Free Lions England fans’ group expressed its displeasure on X, writing: “What next? Sun cream banned and fans forced to buy it in stadiums? For all of the effort they are going to with ‘drinks breaks’ for the players, this is such a strange, late change.” They noted that free water availability was a key demand in discussions, and that FIFA had assured them fans could bring their own bottles. “Naturally, the immediate thought from supporters is this is just the latest money-grab,” they added, before pleading: “For how hot the stadiums will be, many in open air, just let fans bring a bottle if they want to. We hope the water fountains in stadiums will still be free, hopefully you aren’t charged in the queue!”
The 48-team World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, runs from 11 June to 19 July - plenty of time for fans to either adapt or pass out, depending on FIFA’s hydration pricing strategy.