NEW YORK, United States — FIFA has sparked widespread criticism from international supporters’ groups following a sudden, last-minute policy change that bans fans from bringing reusable plastic water bottles into stadiums for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
The revised ticketing code of conduct, updated on Tuesday, reverses a previous safety guideline that explicitly permitted fans to bring empty, transparent, reusable bottles of up to one-liter capacity into matches to combat the severe North American summer heat.
Okay News reports that the decision has raised significant fan welfare concerns, particularly as a recent study by the World Weather Attribution (WWA) network warned that over a third of the tournament’s 104 matches are at high risk for dangerously hot and humid conditions. Temperatures across major southern host cities like Miami, Houston, Dallas, and Atlanta are expected to average over 84 degrees Fahrenheit (29°C) during the month-long tournament, which kicks off on June 11.
Defending the policy shift, a FIFA spokesperson stated that the restriction was implemented uniformly across all host venues to “prevent risk and injury to players and attendees” from thrown projectiles. The governing body assured traveling fans that host city committees will deploy external heat mitigation resources, including misting stations, cooling tents, and hydration zones around stadium perimeters, while internal bottled water pricing will remain consistent with standard stadium events.
However, the move was swiftly condemned by advocacy groups, including the Free Lions England fans’ embassy, which labeled the late policy shift an exploitative “money-grab” that forces vulnerable spectators to buy expensive concessions. Representatives noted that fans had received explicit, long-standing assurances from tournament organizers that free stadium water infrastructure would be paired with personal bottle access. The ban comes despite FIFA implementing mandatory three-minute cooling breaks per half for the players due to extreme climate risks.
