Fifa Bans Reusable Water Bottles at 2026 World Cup

Fans heading to the 2026 World Cup will have to leave their reusable water bottles at the turnstiles after Fifa imposed a late change to its stadium code of conduct, citing safety concerns.

The governing body had previously allowed supporters to bring in empty, transparent, reusable plastic bottles. That option has now disappeared. The updated rules place those bottles in the same category as other hard or potentially dangerous containers – including bottles, cups, jars and cans – which are barred to reduce the risk of objects being thrown and causing injury.

“Fifa is committed to protecting the health and safety of all players, referees, fans, volunteers, and staff,” the organisation said, explaining the shift.

It added that the decision to prohibit bottles had been taken “to prevent risk and injury to players and attendees”, noting that several of the tournament venues already operate similar restrictions for other events.

The timing of the move has unsettled many travelling supporters. Their concern is simple: heat. Some host cities are expected to see temperatures between 26C and 28C around matchdays, and without personal bottles, fans will be wholly reliant on stadium provision for drinking water.

Fifa insists it has planned for that. It says it is working with each host city committee and local authorities on “heat mitigation” for fans approaching and circulating around the grounds. Those measures can include misting stations, fans, hydration points, cooling tents and other facilities built into the wider stadium footprint.

Inside the perimeter, Fifa has promised that the price of water bottles during the World Cup will be “consistent with other events held at each stadium”, placing responsibility on local organisers and existing venue policies rather than imposing a separate tournament tariff.

The 48-team World Cup, the biggest in the competition’s history and jointly hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, runs from 11 June to 19 July. With the clock ticking towards kick-off, the debate over safety, comfort and the cost of staying hydrated is likely to follow fans all the way to the gates.