FIFA has made an abrupt U-turn on its policy and announced that fans will still be allowed to bring one sealed bottle of water into 2026 World Cup matches.
The decision followed days of public outcry over the controversial ban, fueled by fears of extreme heat expected during the tournament, the Daily Mail reports.
New rules for water intake
The umbrella soccer organization has confirmed that spectators at matches in the United States of America and Canada will be allowed to bring into the stadium one soft, plastic, factory-sealed bottle water for single use. The chief operating officer of the 2026 World Cup, Heimo Schirgi, clarified the new policy, but also emphasized that, they say, reusable water bottles remain prohibited for safety reasons.
The turnaround happened just days after he FIFA caused outrage by quietly changing the regulations on behavior in stadiums, which completely banned the introduction of water bottles. The last-minute change has angered fans, especially since experts predict that as many as 93 percent of games will be played in hot temperatures higher than 28 degrees Celsius.
Just three weeks earlier, FIFA’s official rulebook contained the stipulation:
For the avoidance of doubt, empty, transparent, reusable plastic bottles of up to (1 liter) can be brought into the stadium.
However, on June 2, the rulebook was updated and it stated:
For the avoidance of doubt, reusable water bottles may not be brought into the stadium.
Outrage on social media
The original ban caused an avalanche of negative comments on social media, where fans called the move “disgraceful” and expressed concern for the safety of visitors in the summer heat in the American host cities.
This is absolutely shocking. FIFA has become a dystopian parody of what it should bewrote one user on Platform X. Another commented:
Embarrassing. They have abolished a basic human right and now they are forcing fans to spend even more money. As if they don’t spend enough already. Greedy.
One of the users also predicted the prices: and they will have drinks absolutely shocking prices. Water will cost at least $10. The scandal only grows.
Water prices at previous competitions
At last year’s Club World Cup in the US, FIFA charged between $4 and $6 for bottled water amid similar concerns about high temperatures. It is not yet known what the price will be at the World Cup, and it is expected that Dasani water, owned by Coca-Cola, one of the biggest sponsors of FIFA, will be sold at the stadiums.
(www.jabuka.tv | Photo: Pexels)
