FIFA has “u-turned on a u-turn, declaring that water bottles will be allowed at World Cup stadiums this summer” -- but the new rule does “not yet apply to venues in Mexico.” Last week, FIFA changed its policy on reusable water bottles so that they could “not be brought into” stadiums. FIFA then “received criticism on a global scale from politicians, fans groups, health experts and media.” FIFA on Friday suddenly released a video on social media in which World Cup 2026 COO Heimo Schirgi explained that “fans would, in fact, now be allowed to bring in one, soft, plastic 20oz (590ml), factory sealed disposable water bottle” into any FIFA World Cup match in the U.S. or Canada. In the U.S., the new rules would “appear to allow fans to not bring an empty bottle, but to instead bring a full, sealed bottle of water into venues” (THE ATHLETIC, 6/5).
FIFA reverses ban on water bottles at World Cup
