Fans won’t be able to bring their own water bottles into World Cup games this summer after all.
FIFA made a late policy change and will no longer allow fans to bring their own water bottles into World Cup games at venues in North America this summer, according to The Athletic’s Adam Crafton and Matt Slater.
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Previously, the plan to let fans to bring in “empty, transparent, reusable plastic bottles” up to one liter in capacity into stadiums. But FIFA has since informed ticket holders that the code of conduct has been updated to no longer allow fans to bring them in. The new guidance, according to The Athletic, now reads: “For the avoidance of doubt, reusable water bottles may not be brought into the stadium.”
That also means that fans can’t refill empty bottles at water fountains or dispensers at the stadium.
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It’s not clear how much FIFA is planning to charge fans for water at venues this summer, though that will likely vary slightly by location in the United States, Canada and Mexico. At the Club World Cup last summer, water cost between $4 and $6, though fans were allowed to bring water bottles into venues then.
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FIFA said the change was done 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 said in a statement, via The Athletic.
“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 water will still be available for purchase, heat is absolutely expected to be an issue at games throughout the tournament. The World Weather Attribution, an international research group, said last month that 26 of the 104 World Cup games are likely to be played when the host city’s Wet Bulb Global Temperature exceeds 26 degrees. At least five games are likely to be played when WBGT exceeds 28 degrees, which is when there’s an increased risk of serious heat illness for players and fans. WBGT, via The Athletic, is a combination of temperature, humidity, wind and sunlight.
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The World Cup is set to start on June 11 in Mexico City with a match between Mexico and South Africa. As of Wednesday night, which is more than a week out, it’s expected to feel as warm as 84 degrees Fahrenheit in Mexico City that day, via Accuweather.
