New York mayor to challenge FIFA over water bottle ban at World Cup venues

New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani has pledged to formally challenge FIFA over its decision to ban fans from carrying water bottles into World Cup stadiums this summer, warning that spectators should not be forced to “skimp on water” due to the cost of drinks inside venues.

FIFA’s reversal is a significant late change. Just three weeks ago, the organisation’s official Stadium Code of Conduct stated that “empty, transparent, reusable plastic bottles, up to one litre in capacity, may be brought into the Stadium.” That clause has since been removed, with the updated code confirming that “reusable water bottles are no longer permitted at the FIFA World Cup stadiums.” Under the new rules, fans cannot even refill an empty bottle at a water fountain or dispenser inside the ground. Other bottle types remain prohibited due to the risk of injury if thrown.

The ban is particularly contentious given the temperatures expected at several host venues. Last summer’s Club World Cup, also held in the United States, offered a preview of the conditions players and supporters could face. Mamdani, whose city will host matches including the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, said he was alerted to the change on Thursday morning.

“It is concerning because 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,” Mamdani told The Athletic. “That is something that we are going to follow up on to better understand the rationale. We don’t want anyone skimping on water because of the cost of water at the stadium.”

The water bottle dispute is not the only friction between FIFA and its American host cities. New Jersey governor Mikie Sherrill previously criticised FIFA’s refusal to subsidise public transport to matches at MetLife Stadium. After a fan backlash, train fares to the venue were cut from $150 (£111) to $98 (£73), while shuttle bus prices dropped from $80 (£59) to $20 (£15). Transport had been provided free of charge at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups in Russia and Qatar respectively, and the United States had committed to the same arrangement in its original 2018 host agreement before later reversing that position.

MetLife Stadium — which will be referred to as New York/New Jersey Stadium during the tournament under FIFA’s policy on corporate-sponsored venue names — will host eight matches in total, including the final and at least one of England’s group-stage fixtures.