FIFA reverses empty bottle policy for World Cup 2026 amid fan backlash over heat concerns

FIFA has banned fans from bringing water bottles into World Cup 2026 venues, reversing a previous policy that allowed empty, transparent, reusable containers of up to one litre capacity. The update, published by FIFA on Wednesday, has drawn immediate and widespread criticism given the high temperatures expected at stadiums across the United States, Canada, and Mexico this summer.

The reversal is particularly striking because many of the North American stadiums set to host matches are already equipped with water fountains designed specifically for fans to refill their own bottles. FIFA has justified the ban on safety grounds, citing concerns that fans could throw full bottles into the stands or onto the pitch — a rationale that has struggled to gain traction given that supporters were permitted to bring bottles into several of the same venues during last summer’s Club World Cup.

The decision has prompted accusations that the ban is commercially motivated rather than safety-driven, with venues set to sell bottled water and other beverages at concession stands inside the grounds. A comparable situation arose at the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France, where bottles were confiscated on entry. Water fountains were available inside those stadiums, but without a cup or container, they offered limited practical use — and co-branded FIFA and Coca-Cola collectible cups were available for purchase inside.

Critics have also pointed out that a straightforward middle-ground solution exists: permitting smaller 500ml bottles with caps removed, a standard practice at venues worldwide. FIFA has not addressed why that approach was not adopted.

The bottle ban is the latest in a series of fan-experience controversies surrounding this summer’s tournament. Ticket prices have already left thousands of seats unsold less than a week before the opening fixture, and the cost of public transport in several host cities has also drawn complaints. On the environmental front, the ban carries little ecological weight given that single-use plastic bottles will continue to be sold inside the stadiums themselves.