LOS ANGELES: FIFA said Friday it will allow fans to bring a “soft plastic” disposable water bottle to World Cup venues after its ban on refillable bottles sparked protests.
“All fans will be able to bring a factory-sealed, soft plastic, 20-ounce (590 ml) disposable water bottle to any 2026 FIFA World Cup match in the United States and Canada,” World Cup COO Heimo Schirgi said in a video posted on FIFA’s X account.
The announcement, which FIFA called a “clarification” of its water bottle policy, came two days after FIFA said refillable water bottles would not be allowed.
It was a change to the stadium’s official code of conduct that could force thirsty fans to pay for bottled water.
FIFA justified the measure for safety reasons, “to avoid risks and injuries to players and assistants.”
“Open-air bottles are already prohibited in several of these venues for safety reasons, and FIFA is applying this consideration in all its tournament stadiums,” FIFA said in a statement to AFP.
On Friday, FIFA said those concerns remain valid.
Schirgi said that “fans will not be allowed to bring reusable water bottles with hard sides for safety reasons,” showing examples of bottles that will and will not be allowed.
Forecasters have warned that fans could face health risks due to extreme heat at outdoor venues during the World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
A report published last month by research group World Weather Attribution estimated that 26 of 104 World Cup matches are likely to be played in conditions where the wet bulb global temperature (WBGT) exceeds 26 degrees.
WBGT is a measure of thermal stress on the human body that combines temperature, humidity, wind and sunlight.
At last year’s FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, where fans complained about scorching temperatures, fans were also banned from bringing water bottles into venues.
FIFA has noted that misting stations, fans, hydration stations and cooling tents would be available in “the stadium footprint.”
Bottled water inside the venue will be sold at prices that “will remain consistent with other events held at each stadium,” FIFA says.
