Members of FIFA’s security and safety teams expressed concerns during internal debates over the organization’s decision to ban fans from bringing water bottles into stadiums during the World Cup.
According to sources with knowledge of the situation, who remain anonymous as the discussions are confidential, there has been tension for months over the policy inside FIFA.
Three weeks ago, the world governing body’s public code of conduct for World Cup venues stated fans would be permitted to bring an empty, transparent, plastic water bottle into venues during the peak of summer in North America to be able to refill at water fountains.
However, The Athletic has also been told by a source within FIFA with knowledge of the planning that they believe the decision to reverse that policy was highly influenced by commercial considerations.
The original policy allowing fans to bring a bottle appeared to give greater priority to the health and safety of supporters, which was deemed especially important after heat concerns in the United States became one of the dominant themes during last summer’s Club World Cup.
FIFA’s agreement with host cities means it is FIFA and its affiliates, rather than U.S. host cities or venues, who take home the bulk of revenue from concessions sales at the World Cup.
Coca-Cola is one of FIFA’s largest sponsors of the World Cup and its drinks will be on sale, including its water product Dasani. Sources close to Coca-Cola told The Athletic on Thursday it did not have a role in the decision. The source added the policy was set by FIFA based on safety and security considerations. FIFA did not directly respond to suggestions that it may have been influenced by commercial priorities, or those of Coca-Cola.
“FIFA is committed to protecting the health and safety of all players, referees, fans, volunteers, and staff,” began a FIFA statement on Thursday night. “The decision to prohibit capped water bottles is based on a number of factors related to safety and security, including mitigating risks to players and spectators, ensuring a safe and efficient ingress experience for all attendees, and the presence of additional heat mitigation and alternative hydration strategies at FIFA World Cup 2026 stadiums.
“Bottles from outside the stadium are already prohibited at several of these venues for safety considerations, and FIFA is applying this consideration across its tournament stadiums.”
FIFA’s Stadium Code of Conduct for the 2026 World Cup includes an extended list of prohibited items and behavior (Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images)
FIFA’s claim that it is bringing policies into line with those of the venues would appear to suggest FIFA does not have a choice in the matter.
However, FIFA becomes the stadium operator during the World Cup. At the Club World Cup last summer, FIFA used five of the same venues as this summer’s World Cup and it implemented a policy that allowed fans to bring their own plastic bottles into venues to reduce the costs of staying hydrated. This underlines it is a choice rather than an obligation on FIFA’s part.
According to sources privy to FIFA’s discussions, one of the key learnings of last summer was the importance of protecting fans in the summer heat, yet FIFA has now made a last-gasp U-turn on the matter.
FIFA says this is due to safety and security concerns, but The Athletic has been told members of FIFA’s security and safety teams have relayed concerns that the decision not to allow fans to bring a bottle could also be a safety risk due to possible heat stress for fans.
Since The Athletic first broke the news of FIFA’s policy change, FIFA’s decision has provoked a significant backlash from host cities, fans and politicians.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said FIFA’s decision is a “pure money grab”. Her city will host six games.
“Why do you need to buy a water bottle when you can just carry your water in? It is cheaper that way and it is good for the environment,” Chow told CTV News. “It is outrageous. They are just trying to make more money. They are already making billions of dollars. Stop it.”
She suggested FIFA should make water bottles free for fans in the venue if it is not prepared to change the policy.
Josh Matlow, a Toronto City Councillor, said on X that access to water “should be a right no matter where you are in Toronto. The public’s health and safety is simply more important than FIFA restricting fans to buy Coke products. I’ll be asking City Hall to push back on this latest greedy and unreasonable FIFA demand.”
Access to drinking water, especially when you’re outside in the heat, should be a right no matter where you are in Toronto. The public’s health and safety is simply more important than FIFA restricting fans to buy Coke products. I’ll be asking city hall to push back on this… pic.twitter.com/Avu2TvJjHP
— Josh Matlow (@JoshMatlow) June 4, 2026
FIFA’s position on bottles has evolved multiple times. As of May 12, it was permitted to bring a plastic bottle, as per the stadium code of conduct.
Then, on May 13, FIFA gave a statement to The Athletic in response to a query about heat concerns, which said a sealed bottle would be permitted “but only when forecasts indicate elevated temperatures”. This would have meant venues only allowing fans to bring a bottle in extreme temperatures. Now, no bottles are permitted.
This was confirmed in FIFA’s email to ticket holders this week, pointing them to clause 3.1.11 of the stadium code of conduct, which makes no reference to any sealed water bottle being permitted, even in the event of high temperatures.
The policy has an exemption for “baby milk and sterilised water in containers” or liquids that a fan requires for medical reasons, providing their medical certificate is in English, French or Spanish.
Some host cities are extremely unhappy about the decision. Several have spent significant sums and put together highly detailed plans to support World Cup fans in the summer heat outside of venues and across their cities, but it is FIFA that makes policy within the venues.
In a 52-page report published in May, World Weather Attribution’s scientists claimed approximately 26 of the 104 World Cup games are likely to be played when the host city’s Wet Bulb Global Temperature (WBGT) exceeds 26 degrees Celsius (78.8°F), with five games at the six-week tournament likely to be played in conditions with a WBGT that exceeds 28° C (82.4°F).
Players have been granted three-minute hydration breaks during World Cup games. These will take place even within games in temperature-controlled stadiums.
“They are saying water is essential to the players’ safety,” Football Supporters Europe executive director Ronan Evain said. “But for the fans, they are saying water is not essential; it is a commodity.”
