Fifa has revised its water bottle policy for the 2026 World Cup in North America, now allowing fans to bring one sealed, disposable 20-ounce (590ml) plastic bottle into stadiums. The move follows widespread criticism after the governing body initially banned reusable bottles, a decision that sparked outrage from fan groups, scientific experts, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Earlier this week, Fifa updated its rules to prohibit empty, transparent reusable bottles up to one litre, which had previously been permitted. The ban was met with concerns over spectator welfare during extreme heat, with Starmer calling the policy “wrong” and suggesting it was “about making money.”
In a partial reversal, Fifa announced on Friday that “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.” Heimo Schirgi, the World Cup 2026 chief operating officer, clarified that “hard-sided resealable water containers” remain banned due to safety and security risks.
During last summer’s Club World Cup in the United States, fans were allowed to bring empty bottles, with water sold at stadiums for between $4 and $6 (roughly £3 to £4.50). Fifa had initially justified the ban as necessary to “prevent risk and injury to players and attendees,” but Starmer argued that the policy forces fans to buy expensive water inside, adding to the high cost of tickets.
