FIFA perform u-turn on most controversial World Cup decision after backlash

World Cup 2026 fans attending matches in the United States and Canada are on the end of another change in stadium regulations.

FIFA's ban on taking empty water bottles into the competition's 16 stadiums was reported in midweek, revealing a u-turn that threatened to have a severe impact on the safety of fans in some of the toughest conditions of any football World Cup in history.

After days of outside pressure, football's governing body has gone back on the decision, which it claimed to have made on security grounds but was perceived by many observers as a commercially driven choice.

"FIFA has u-turned on a u-turn, declaring that water bottles will be allowed at World Cup stadiums this summer – but the new rule does not yet apply to venues in Mexico," reports Adam Crafton of The Athletic.

"The policy was updated on June 2 to remove the prior guidance permitting an empty plastic bottle.

"This meant fans would only be able to buy soft drinks from concessions stands in stadiums.

"FIFA take the bulk of the revenue from concessions sales in venues and their soft-drink partner, Coca-Cola, will be selling its sodas and its water product Dasani in stadiums."

FIFA's backtrack was made flesh in the form of a video featuring World Cup 2026 chief operating officer Heimo Schirgi, who explained that fans would be able to bring in a 'factory sealed' bottle up to 590ml.

To date, there has been no indication that the regulation would be removed for matches at Estadio BBVA, Estadio Akron or Estadio Azteca, where the first match of World Cup 2026 will be played on Thursday.

'Materially and demonstrably a change'

"In the U.S., the new rules would appear to allow fans to not bring an empty bottle, but to instead bring a full, sealed bottle of water into venues," reports Crafton.

"Schirgi did not say FIFA had changed its policy – he claimed he was providing “clarity” on the matter.

"Yet it is, materially and demonstrably, a change."

The World Cup will have 104 matches for the first time. Four will be in Monterrey, four in Guadalajara and five in Mexico City, where 19 previous World Cup matches have been played.

Six matches will be hosted at BMO Field in Toronto and seven at Vancouver's BC Place, with the remainder all taking place in the United States, including the final at MetLife Stadium on July 19.