FIFA bans – FIFA has updated its World Cup 2026 stadium code of conduct to ban reusable water bottles, triggering fury among fans amid forecasts of searing summer heat. Supporters will also be unable to refill empty bottles inside stadiums, pushing them toward buying new
For many supporters, World Cup tickets came with a simple expectation: that they could arrive prepared for the heat.
Instead, FIFA’s last-minute change to stadium rules has turned a basic necessity into a flashpoint. World Cup ticket holders have been told that FIFA has updated its code of conduct to state that “reusable water bottles are no longer permitted at the FIFA World Cup 2026 stadiums.”
The timing is hitting hard. This summer’s tournament across the US, Mexico and Canada is expected to bring extreme conditions, with experts predicting 93 percent of matches will be played in temperatures exceeding 28°C (82.4°F).
Three weeks before the new restriction. FIFA’s own Stadium Code of Conduct included a clause that said: “For the avoidance of doubt. empty. transparent. reusable plastic bottles. up to (1 liter in) capacity. may be brought into the Stadium.” Then. on June 2. the code was reportedly revised. The updated wording now reads: “For the avoidance of doubt, reusable water bottles may not be brought into the stadium.”.
The new policy doesn’t stop at entry. Fans will also be prevented from refilling an empty bottle they bought inside stadiums at water fountains or dispensers, meaning supporters will be pushed toward purchasing new bottles each time they need them.
Online, the reaction has been immediate and angry. One user wrote on X: “This is absolutely shocking. FIFA have become a dystopian parody of what they are meant to be.” Another posted: “That’s a disgrace. Basic human right removed and now fans made to spend more $$. Like they’re not already going to be spending enough. Greedy.”.
Criticism also zeroed in on the logic of charging for hydration while still restricting what people can carry. “Buy them in the stadium? So what does that achieve? Are they suddenly safe cos they cost more?” asked another supporter.
Others focused on the practical risk of running out in harsh temperatures. “So what happens when they run out? Because in 95° heat and 60,000+ people – They might. This is f***ing ridiculous,” one wrote.
There was also fury at the prospect of higher prices. “Those drinks are going to be absolutely shocking in price. Water will be $10 at least. The scandal just keeps getting bigger,” a user predicted.
FIFA’s history with bottled-water pricing is already raising alarm bells. At last summer’s Club World Cup in the US, FIFA charged between $4 and $6 for bottled water amid similar concerns about sweltering temperatures.
It is currently unclear how much the organization will charge at this summer’s World Cup, though water brand Dasani is expected to be sold in the venues.
FIFA World Cup 2026 water bottle ban reusable water bottles stadium code of conduct extreme heat Dasani fan reaction