FIFA reverses water bottle ban at 2026 World Cup stadiums after fan safety outcry

FIFA reversed its ban on water bottles inside 2026 World Cup stadiums in the early hours of Saturday, allowing fans at venues in the United States and Canada to bring in one factory-sealed, soft plastic disposable bottle of up to 590ml — a climbdown that came less than a week before the tournament opens.

The governing body had initially permitted supporters to carry empty, transparent reusable bottles into venues for refilling inside. Earlier this week, however, FIFA amended that policy without warning, stating: “For the avoidance of doubt, reusable water bottles may not be brought into the stadium.” The reversal drew immediate and widespread criticism given the expected summer heat across the three host nations.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was among the first officials to push back publicly. Speaking on Friday, he said: “The heat that we are talking about is not just the heat that the players are in, it is also the heat that spectators are going to be subjected to for arguably a longer period of time, as they will be there before the game starts and after the game finishes. You want to make it easier.”

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also weighed in on Friday, describing the ban as a commercial decision rather than a safety one. “It’s just wrong. And I can’t help but think that it’s about making money,” Starmer said. “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.” He called on FIFA to reconsider.

2026 World Cup CEO Heimo Schirgi confirmed the latest reversal in the early hours of Saturday, though the updated guidance appears to cover only stadiums in the United States and Canada. No equivalent confirmation has been issued for matches played in Mexico. Under the new terms, fans may bring in a sealed bottle but will not be permitted to carry empty reusable containers.

FIFA had argued the original ban was introduced to reduce the risk of injury to players and attendees from projectiles, but that rationale was widely dismissed. The episode marks the second significant policy reversal for tournament organisers in the days immediately before the competition begins, raising questions about the preparedness of the logistics operation ahead of the expanded 48-team event.