r Water bottles was In times of extreme heat, it's always ideal to keep yourself cool and hydrated. This is going to be the predictamint that the FIFA World Cup will find itself in. The football fans will b watching the action in these conditions.
FIFA initially ruled out refilling water bottles once emptied. They have since made a U-turn in their decision.
FIFA’s initial policy permitted fans to carry empty, transparent, reusable plastic bottles up to 1 litre. However, the governing body made a U-turn on that policy last Thursday and banned fans from carrying reusable water bottles into venues due to safety concerns.
Football fans will now be allowed to bring sealed disposable water bottles into World Cup stadiums in the US and Canada after criticism over a decision to ban reusable bottles
Ticket holders had previously been permitted to bring an empty, transparent and reusable bottle up to one litre into grounds.
Then, earlier this week, world football's governing body FIFA outright banned refillable plastic bottles, saying the decision was to "prevent risk and injury to players and attendees."
The controversial move was criticised by fan groups and scientific experts, who had already expressed concerns about the impact of extreme heat on spectators' welfare.
The Free Lions England fans' group called the initial decision a "strange, late change" and "just the latest money-grab," having been previously assured by FIFA that fans would have free access to water and be able to bring in their own bottle.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer branded the measure "wrong", saying it was "about making money."
FIFA has since partially backtracked on the ban, with a post on social media explaining fans will be allowed to bring "one soft, plastic, 20 ounces (590ml), factory sealed disposable water bottle" into matches in the US and Canada.
"What is not allowed are hard-sided resealable water containers, which could pose a safety and security risk," World Cup 2026 chief operating officer, Heimo Schirgi, added.
New York City Mayor, Zohran Mamdani, was pleased with FIFA’s decision to reverse the water bottle ban.
"No one should have to fear being priced out of being hydrated, especially fans who are often waiting for hours before a game in extreme heat," said football fanatic Mamdani, who has championed equitable prices for this World Cup in his home city. Last month, he made 1 000 tickets costing $50 available to city residents as match tickets reached well into four figures.
Fans were allowed to bring in empty bottles during last year's Club World Cup, also held in the US, with water also on sale at stadia for prices between £3 and £4.50.
FIFA has introduced three-minute hydration breaks for players in each half as a welfare measure.
A study by US broadcaster National Public Radio this week found that more than a third of matches this tournament are at high risk for dangerously hot, humid conditions.
Temperatures in Miami, Houston, Dallas and Atlanta can average as high as 84°F.
A report published by the World Weather Attribution research group last month estimated that 26 of 104 games at the World Cup are likely to be played in conditions where the Wet Bulb Global Temperature (WBGT) exceeds 26°C (78.8°F).
WBGT is a measure of heat stress on the human body, which combines temperature, humidity, wind and sunlight.
At last year’s FIFA Club World Cup in the US, where fans complained of searing temperatures, supporters were also barred from bringing water bottles into venues.
FIFA has noted that misting stations, fans, hydration stations and cooling tents would be available in “the stadium footprint”.
Fans at the 2022 Qatar World Cup were also not permitted to bring reusable water bottles into stadiums.
FIFA had said last week the ban’s purpose was to "prevent risk and injury to players and attendees" but Starmer told the British radio station LBC on Friday: “It’s just wrong. And I can’t help but think that it’s about making money.
"So you can’t bring plastic bottles in but you can buy a bottle of water when you get in the crowd? And then it’ll be expensive. The tickets themselves cost a fortune, far too expensive in my view. So the ticket sales are too high. And this is the wrong policy.”
The World Cup starts on 11 June and ends on 19 July.
Prohibiting water bottles was a silly idea. The fans are already paying thousands for tickets; it's just an insult to them. FIFA just think about money. The fans could get hurt as a result and I'm sure they wouldn't care.
FIFA needs to consider the human factor when making decisions. Fans are the life blood of sport. Eliminate them and the respective sport will probably die out.