TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - FIFA has finally relaxed its ban on bringing water bottles into stadiums during the 2026 World Cup after receiving criticism from various parties.
On Friday, the world football governing body announced that all fans will be allowed to bring one factory-sealed soft plastic water bottle into stadiums in the United States and Canada.
"All fans will be allowed to bring one 20-ounce (590 ml) factory-sealed soft plastic single-use water bottle into matches at the 2026 World Cup in the United States and Canada," FIFA said in a statement.
However, FIFA is maintaining its ban on hard refillable water bottles. The organization stated that the decision was made to ensure security inside stadiums.
FIFA is concerned that hard bottles could potentially be thrown at players, opposing fans, or security personnel.
Therefore, the rules regarding refillable bottles remain unchanged, even though the policy regarding single-use plastic bottles has been relaxed.
FIFA's previous decision sparked a wave of criticism from various groups, including public officials in host cities.
Many believe that the ban on bringing water bottles could endanger the health of spectators, especially since the tournament will take place in the summer with high temperatures.
Beyond health concerns, FIFA has also faced accusations that the ban could potentially benefit beverage sales inside stadiums. As is known, the mineral water, soft drinks, and juices sold during the World Cup are supplied exclusively by one of FIFA's main sponsors, Coca-Cola.
The 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is indeed overshadowed by the challenge of extreme weather.
In addition to temperatures predicted to exceed 32 degrees Celsius in several host cities, the tournament also faces the potential for disruption by thunderstorms and lightning.
In these conditions, the availability of adequate drinking water is considered a crucial need, not only for the competing players but also for the millions of supporters who will fill the stadiums during the tournament.
By relaxing these rules, FIFA hopes to alleviate public concerns while maintaining security aspects within the match arena.
Read: FIFA Bans Reusable Water Bottles Ahead of 2026 World Cup
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