Football’s world governing body FIFA has reversed its controversial decision to ban water bottles at World Cup 2026 venues.
Fans attending matches in the United States and Canada will now be allowed to bring one factory-sealed disposable plastic bottle of water.
World Cup chief operating officer Heimo Schirgi made the announcement in a video posted on FIFA’s official X account on Friday, June 5.
“All fans will be permitted to bring in one, soft, plastic 20 ounces (590ml), factory sealed disposable water bottle into any FIFA World Cup 2026 match in the USA and Canada,” he said.
FIFA framed the announcement as a clarification of its water bottle policy, though it came just two days after the governing body said refillable bottles would not be allowed at venues, a decision that triggered immediate backlash from fans and raised serious concerns about supporter welfare given the extreme heat conditions expected at several outdoor stadiums.
Hard-sided reusable bottles remain banned.
“Fans will not be permitted to bring in hard sided, reusable water bottles due to safety and security reasons,” Schirgi said, showing examples of what would and would not be permitted.
All fans will be permitted to bring in one, soft, plastic, 20 ounces (590ml), factory sealed disposable water bottle into any FIFA World Cup 2026 match in the USA and Canada. ✅
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) June 5, 2026
As FIFA World Cup 2026 Chief Operating Officer, Heimo Schirgi, explains, fans will not be permitted… pic.twitter.com/ePEHq9oalJ
FIFA had originally justified the blanket ban on safety grounds, arguing that outside bottles are already prohibited at several of the tournament venues.
A report by the World Weather Attribution research group estimated that 26 of the 104 World Cup games are likely to be played in conditions where heat stress on the human body, measured using the Wet Bulb Global Temperature index, which factors in temperature, humidity, wind, and sunlight, exceeds 26 degrees.
Forecasters have warned that fans at open-air venues face genuine health risks from the heat.
FIFA said misting stations, fans, hydration stations, and cooling tents would be available within stadium grounds, and that bottled water sold inside venues would be priced in line with what is typically charged at those stadiums for other events.
