FIFA allows plastic bottles to be brought to 2026 World Cup matches
The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has allowed plastic water bottles to be brought into stadiums during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
"All fans will be able to bring one soft plastic water bottle with a volume of 20 ounces (590 ml) with a sealed cap to all World Cup matches in the United States and Canada," the organization said on social network X.
As FIFA chief operating officer Heimo Schirgi explained, regular bottles of water of the specified volume will be allowed in the stands, while bottles made of hard plastic and intended for reusable use will be prohibited. The statement does not specify what rules will apply to matches in Mexico. As Bloomberg reported, citing Schirgi, the country needs to resolve "certain legal issues" before such rules can be implemented.
On June 4, a week before the start of the championship, FIFA updated the stadium access rules, banning empty plastic bottles. The organization explained the new requirement with security considerations. The decision drew criticism from fans, sports officials, scientists and politicians, as some people could end up in the stands without water in hot weather conditions.
