FIFA changes mind on controversial World Cup water bottle decision

FIFA walked back its water bottle policy Friday.

It will now allow spectators to bring one sealed, soft-plastic, 20-ounce water bottle into all stadiums in the United States or Canada, though was not specified if these rules would apply for the games in Mexico. 

FIFA will still not allow any hard plastic or metal bottles into the stadium. 

FIFA World Cup Logo at Hard Rock Stadium CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH/EPA/Shutterstock

Fans had believed they would be able to bring in a refillable water bottle, as FIFA’s stadium rules state that fans can bring in a translucent 1-liter bottle into stadiums.

But on Tuesday, FIFA announced that no bottles will be permitted in stadiums during the World Cup “to prevent risk and injury to players and attendees.”

Immediately, this change sparked outrage.

Spectators were concerned that the high heat at many of these games would affect them during the games.

“It’s just wrong,” United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, “and I can’t help but think that it’s about making money.”

Fans watching an MLS game in New Jersey in 2023. Aristide Economopoulos

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani also chimed in, calling Tuesday’s rule “concerning because the heat that we are talking about is not just the heat that the players are in, it is also the heat that spectators are going to be subjected to for arguably a longer period of time.”

Many of the games being played are projected to have temperatures soar above 90 degrees.

FIFA recognized this and announced it would provide cooling tents and a misting station at most stadiums to keep people cool. 

Now, fans will be allowed to stay cool on their own accord with the personal water bottles.