Overview
- FIFA updated its Stadium Code of Conduct on June 2 to explicitly prohibit reusable or refillable water bottles at all 16 World Cup stadiums, replacing earlier language that had allowed empty 1‑litre bottles.
- The governing body says the ban is a safety measure to stop bottles being thrown and will deliver heat‑mitigation measures such as misting stations, hydration points, cooling tents and mandatory player hydration breaks.
- Supporters and some host‑city officials criticized the last‑minute reversal as a risk to spectator welfare and accused FIFA of creating a commercial reliance on on‑site bottled water sales.
- The code keeps narrow exceptions for baby milk and medically required liquids with documentation and bars refilling personal bottles inside stadium footprints.
- Independent heat analyses warn dozens of matches could face high heat stress, the tournament runs June 11–July 19, and the ban heightens scrutiny of stadium plans, bottled‑water pricing and possible pushback from cities and fan groups.