FIFA has banned spectators from bringing refillable water bottles into stadiums during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a policy change that will require fans to purchase bottled water inside tournament venues.

The decision, reported by The Athletic on Wednesday, reverses guidance previously contained in FIFA’s official stadium code of conduct, which had allowed supporters to bring empty, transparent reusable plastic bottles with a capacity of up to one litre into stadiums.

Under the revised rules, FIFA now explicitly prohibits reusable water bottles from being taken into World Cup venues.

“For the avoidance of doubt, reusable water bottles may not be brought into the stadium,” the updated stadium code of conduct states.

In a statement, a FIFA spokesperson said the decision was made on safety grounds, noting that several World Cup venues already enforce similar restrictions.

“FIFA is committed to protecting the health and safety of all players, referees, fans, volunteers and staff,” the spokesperson said.

“FIFA made the decision to prohibit bottles to prevent risk and injury to players and attendees.

“Outside bottles are already prohibited at several of these venues for safety considerations, and FIFA is applying this consideration across its tournament stadiums.”

The football governing body said misting stations, cooling tents, hydration stations and fans would be available within stadium precincts to help supporters cope with high temperatures during matches.

FIFA also stated that bottled water sold inside venues would be priced in line with rates charged during other events held at the respective stadiums.

The policy change comes amid growing concerns about the impact of extreme heat on players and spectators during the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Last month, the World Weather Attribution research group warned that weather conditions could pose health risks during the competition. The group estimated that 26 of the tournament’s 104 matches are likely to be played in conditions where the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), a measure of heat stress that factors in temperature, humidity, wind and sunlight, exceeds 26 degrees Celsius.

Concerns over heat were also raised during last year’s FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, where fans reported experiencing extremely high temperatures while attending matches. Spectators at that tournament were similarly prohibited from bringing water bottles into stadiums.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to be the largest in the tournament’s history, featuring 48 teams and matches across multiple cities in North America.