Overview
- FIFA announced a late change in its stadium code that first banned reusable bottles and then, after criticism, permitted one factory-sealed soft single‑use plastic bottle (590 ml) for matches in the United States and Canada.
- The reversal, confirmed by FIFA operations chief Heimo Schirgi, still bars hard or reusable bottles for 'safety reasons' and did not explicitly clarify rules for Mexican venues.
- Local leaders and health experts had criticized the original ban as 'money‑making' and dangerous for fans, prompting public pressure from officials including the mayors of Toronto and New York.
- Scientists warn the issue matters for fan health because the research group World Weather Attribution estimates about 26 of 104 matches could face elevated wet‑bulb heat risk, increasing the need for easy access to water.
- Questions remain about in‑stadium water availability, likely prices (past U.S. events charged roughly $4–6 per bottle) and the environmental impact of allowing single‑use bottles instead of refillable containers.