FIFA officials have done a bottle flip and announced they’re reversing their previously announced reusable water bottle ban at World Cup games.
Form of.
In an update posted on social media, FIFA World Cup 2026 Chief Operating Officer Heimo Schirgi said that fans will now be permitted to usher in one soft, plastic 20-ounce (590 millilitres) factory-sealed water bottle into stadiums where games are being played.
Fans is not going to be allowed to usher in any hard-sided reusable water bottles resulting from safety and security reasons.
This will likely be in effect at games played in the US and Canada. Schirgi didn’t mention Mexico, so it’s unclear right now if the reversal also applies to stadiums there.
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Just three weeks ago, FIFA updated its code of conduct policy for North American venues, stating that “empty, transparent, reusable plastic bottles, as much as (1 litre in) capability, could also be brought into the stadium,” Reuters reported, but backpedalled Thursday, saying they were not allowed and that fans will now need to purchase bottled water on site.
There are 48 teams set to play within the World Cup starting this month in Mexico City, with matches also being hosted at 16 venues across North America, including in Toronto and Vancouver.
–with files from Rachel Goodman
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