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The FIFA updated its code of conduct for fans and prohibited the entry of reusable water bottles into the stadiums of the 2026 World Cup, a decision that sparked an immediate wave of criticism and forced the organization to revise its stance just 24 hours later.
The change represents a direct contradiction to the entity's own regulations: just three weeks earlier, FIFA had published a code of conduct that allowed access with "reusable, transparent, and empty plastic bottles, up to one liter in capacity."
The new document, updated this week and reported by the sports outlet The Athletic, states clearly: "To avoid any doubt, the entry of reusable water bottles into the stadium is not allowed."
The ban forces fans to purchase bottled water at the venue's shops or to go to the hydration stations set up by FIFA inside the stadiums.
The measure was particularly poorly received given the context of the tournament: the 2026 World Cup will take place between June 13 and July 19 during the height of the North American summer, with 104 matches spread across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and forecasts of extreme heat in most venues.
A study published in the International Journal of Biometeorology warns that 14 out of the 16 venues may exceed dangerous thresholds of thermal stress during the afternoons, and only three stadiums —Atlanta, Dallas, and Houston— are fully air-conditioned.
In cities like Miami, with temperatures of 32°C and high humidity, the heat index can reach 43°C.
The decision was also tied to the fact that beverages in the stadiums are exclusively supplied by Coca-Cola, a long-time sponsor of FIFA, which led critics to label it a "cash grab" at the expense of the spectators' health.
The mayor of New York, Zohran Mamdani, described the ban as "worrying" due to the exposure to heat for fans.
The British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was more direct and stated that the decision was "incorrect" and "designed to make money."
In response to the flood of criticism, FIFA last Saturday and announced a new update to its policy: the entry of a factory-sealed disposable plastic bottle of up to 590 ml will be allowed per person.
Reusable rigid bottles are still prohibited, citing safety reasons to prevent them from being thrown and causing injuries to players or spectators.
As compensatory measures, FIFA indicated that all matches will include a three-minute hydration break per half for the teams, and that around the stadiums there will be "misting stations, fans, hydration points, cooling tents, and more."
The episode leaves FIFA's credibility damaged after changing a rule that directly impacts millions of fans attending the tournament in extreme heat conditions three times in less than a month.
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