FIFA has revised its policy regarding water bottles for the upcoming World Cup in North America, now permitting fans to carry a single sealed, disposable 590ml bottle into the stadiums.
Previously, ticket holders were allowed to bring in an empty, transparent, and reusable bottle with a capacity of up to one litre. However, a recent update indicated that reusable bottles would no longer be allowed.
This decision faced sharp criticism from fan groups and experts who expressed concerns about the potential dangers posed by extreme heat on spectators’ health. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer labeled the policy as “wrong,” suggesting it was primarily motivated by profit.
In response to the backlash, FIFA has made a partial change to the stringent rule, announcing, “All fans will be permitted to bring in one, soft, plastic, 20 ounces (590ml), factory sealed disposable water bottle into any FIFA World Cup 2026 match in the USA and Canada.”
Heimo Schirgi, the Chief Operating Officer for World Cup 2026, clarified, “What is not allowed are hard-sided resealable water containers, which could pose a safety and security risk.”
During last summer’s Club World Cup in the United States, fans were allowed to enter with empty bottles. Additionally, bottled water was sold at stadiums for prices ranging from £3 to £4.50.
FIFA’s stated reason for the ban was to “prevent risk and injury to players and attendees.” However, Starmer criticized the policy further during an interview on British radio station LBC, asserting, “It’s just wrong. And I can’t help but think that it’s about making money.
“So you can’t bring plastic bottles in but you can buy a bottle of water when you get in the crowd? And then it’ll be expensive. The tickets themselves cost a fortune, far too expensive in my view. So the ticket sales are too high. And this is the wrong policy.”
