FIFA has officially prohibited spectators from bringing reusable water bottles into stadiums for the upcoming World Cup. This significant policy amendment was introduced at the final hour, just prior to the commencement of the tournament. As a direct consequence of this rule change, match attendees will be required to purchase commercially bottled water inside the venues. The regulatory update was initially disclosed on Wednesday by the American sports media outlet.
Amendment to the Stadium Code of Conduct
Until last month, FIFA’s official stadium code of conduct explicitly permitted spectators to bring their own beverage containers. The original directive stated:
“Spectators can enter the stadium with empty, transparent, and reusable plastic bottles with a maximum capacity of one litre without any hesitation.”
However, The Athletic reported on Wednesday that this guideline has been completely overturned. FIFA’s newly updated code of conduct now explicitly reads:
“It is stated without any doubt that reusable water bottles cannot be brought inside the stadium.”
In an official statement delivered to the news agency AFP, a FIFA spokesperson clarified that the regulation was altered strictly for safety and security reasons. The spokesperson noted that several World Cup venues had already independently restricted external reusable bottles prior to this directive. According to the statement, FIFA remains committed to the health and safety of players, referees, spectators, volunteers, and staff members. The decision to ban these bottles was implemented to safeguard players and spectators from potential risks and injuries. By standardising the rule, FIFA is now enforcing this security restriction uniformly across all tournament stadiums.
Mitigation Measures and Stadium Infrastructure
To ensure that spectators have adequate access to hydration under the new restrictions, FIFA has announced that several alternative provisions will be accessible on the stadium grounds. These facilities are designed to mitigate the effects of high temperatures.
The scheduled provisions and facilities inside the stadium zones are detailed below:
| Facility / Service | Operational Description and Implementation |
| Water Stations | Designated drinking water systems will be accessible throughout the stadium premises. |
| Bottled Water Sales | Commercially packaged bottled water will be available for purchase inside the venues. |
| Harmonised Pricing | Prices for bottled water will be kept aligned with standard rates of other events at these venues. |
| Cooling Tents | Dedicated temperature-controlled spaces will be established for spectators to cool down. |
| Mist Machines & Fans | Artificial mist-generating devices and fans will be operational to lower environmental heat. |
Environmental Context and Expert Concerns
The World Cup is scheduled to commence on 11 June across three host nations: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. FIFA’s decision to modify the safety regulations has been enacted despite explicit warnings from environmental and health experts, who cautioned that spectators could face severe health risks due to intense heatwaves.
A report published last month by the research organisation representative estimated that out of the 104 matches scheduled for the tournament, 26 matches could be played under climatic conditions where the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) exceeds 26 degrees Celsius. The WBGT is a comprehensive scientific metric used to calculate the level of heat stress imposed on the human body, factoring in ambient temperature, humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation intensity.
This scenario follows similar challenges documented during the FIFA Club World Cup hosted in the United States last year. During that event, supporters voiced widespread complaints regarding extreme heat and discomfort, whilst also being denied permission to bring external water bottles into the venues.