FIFA has announced a new policy barring fans from bringing refillable plastic bottles into World Cup stadiums, a reversal of its earlier guidance that has triggered criticism from supporters’ groups and renewed debate over spectator welfare in extreme summer heat. The football governing body said the decision was taken to……
FIFA has announced a new policy barring fans from bringing refillable plastic bottles into World Cup stadiums, a reversal of its earlier guidance that has triggered criticism from supporters’ groups and renewed debate over spectator welfare in extreme summer heat.
The football governing body said the decision was taken to “prevent risk and injury to players and attendees”, noting that similar restrictions already exist at several host venues and will now be applied uniformly across all tournament stadiums.
Previously, ticket-holders were allowed to enter stadiums with an empty, transparent, reusable bottle of up to one litre capacity. However, an update issued on June 2, as first reported by The Athletic, confirmed that reusable bottles are now prohibited entirely.
A FIFA spokesperson defended the policy shift, saying: “FIFA is committed to protecting the health and safety of all players, referees, fans, volunteers and staff.
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“FIFA made the decision to prohibit bottles to prevent risk and injury to players and attendees.
“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 travelling 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.”
Reports from The Athletic noted that bottled water sold between four and six US dollars (about £3 to £4.50) during last summer’s Club World Cup in the United States.
The decision has drawn sharp criticism from the Free Lions, the England fans’ embassy group, which questioned the timing and implications of the policy.
Posting on X, the group said: “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.
“In all of our discussions, free water availability in stadiums was a key one and we were assured by FIFA that this would be the case and that fans will have the ability to bring their own water bottle.
“Naturally, the immediate thought from supporters is this is just the latest money-grab. 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!”
Concerns over heat at the tournament have also been raised by climate and health experts.
Researchers at World Weather Attribution (WWA) warned last month that extreme temperatures could pose serious risks to both players and fans, with spectators considered particularly vulnerable.
WWA estimates that nine of the 104 World Cup matches could be played above 26 degrees Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), an index used to measure heat stress on the human body.
Above that threshold, world players’ union, Fédération Internationale des Associations de Footballeurs Professionnels (FIFPRO) recommends safety interventions, while around five matches are projected to exceed 28 degrees WBGT, a level at which FIFPRO advises postponement.
Dr Theodore Keeping of Imperial College London, a co-author of the WWA study, criticised the ban in the context of rising heat risks, saying: “Allowing fair and equitable access to hydration is a basic first defence against the extreme heat risks climate change is bringing to this World Cup.”
FIFA has already introduced three-minute hydration breaks in each half of matches as part of its player welfare measures.
