FIFA bans fans from taking water bottles into World Cup games

Fans will no longer be allowed to bring refillable plastic bottles into World Cup stadiums after FIFA made a last-minute change to its policy for attending matches.

The late move has been criticised amid concerns over supporter welfare in the North American summer heat, with the Free Lions England fans' embassy stating: "What next? Sun cream banned and fans forced to buy it in stadiums?"

FIFA said the decision was made to "prevent risk and injury to players and attendees".

The code of conduct for ticketholders had previously permitted an empty, transparent, reusable bottle of up to one litre capacity, but an update on Tuesday confirmed reusable bottles were no longer permitted.

A FIFA spokesperson said: "FIFA is committed to protecting the health and safety of all players, referees, fans, volunteers and staff.

"FIFA made the decision to prohibit bottles to prevent risk and injury to players and attendees.

"Outside bottles are already prohibited at several of these venues for safety considerations and FIFA is applying this consideration across its tournament stadiums.

"FIFA works closely with each host city committee and local authorities on heat mitigation factors for fans travelling to the stadium, which can include resources such as misting stations, fans, hydration stations, cooling tents and more around the stadium footprint.

"Inside the stadium footprint, pricing for water bottles for the FIFA World Cup 2026 will remain consistent with other events held at each stadium."

The Athletic, which first reported the change, said bottled water cost between $4 and $6 (between £3 and £4.50) at last summer's Club World Cup in the US.

FIFA has introduced three-minute hydration breaks for players in each half as a welfare measure.

A study by US broadcaster National Public Radio this week found that more than one-third of World Cup matches are at high risk for dangerously hot, humid conditions.

Temperatures in Miami, Houston, Dallas and Atlanta can average as high as 84 degrees Fahrenheit. Scotland will play Brazil in Miami.

Posting on X, the Free Lions England fans' group added: "For all of the effort they are going to with 'drinks breaks' for the players, this is such a strange, late change.

"In all of our discussions, free water availability in stadiums was a key one and we were assured by FIFA that this would be the case and that fans will have the ability to bring their own water bottle.

"Naturally, the immediate thought from supporters is this is just the latest money-grab. For how hot the stadiums will be, many in open air, just let fans bring a bottle if they want to.

"We hope the water fountains in stadiums will still be free, hopefully you aren't charged in the queue."

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Academics at World Weather Attribution (WWA) earlier expressed concern about the impact of extreme heat on player and fan welfare.

Altogether, WWA expects nine of the 104 tournament matches to be played above 26 degrees Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT).

WBGT is an index that considers how effectively the body can cool itself.

Above 26 degrees, world players' union FIFPRO advises that safety measures should be implemented, with around five matches expected to occur where the WBGT exceeds 28 degrees, when FIFPRO says matches should be postponed.

Dr Theodore Keeping, WWA study author from Imperial College London, said in response to the change of policy: "Allowing fair and equitable access to hydration is a basic first defence against the extreme heat risks climate change is bringing to this World Cup."

The World Cup starts on June 11.

(c) Sky News 2026: FIFA bans fans from taking water bottles into World Cup games