World Cup fans barred from bringing water bottles into stadia

FIFA has prohibited fans from bringing refillable water bottles into World Cup stadiums, a change announced at the last minute that will compel supporters to purchase bottled water at the venues, The Athletic reported on Wednesday.

Just a month earlier, FIFA’s official stadium code of conduct stated that “empty, transparent, reusable plastic bottles, up to (1 liter in) capacity, may be brought into the Stadium.”

According to The Athletic, the guidelines have now been revised to explicitly ban refillable bottles.

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

In a statement to AFP, a FIFA spokesperson said the rule change was made for safety reasons, noting that several World Cup venues already prohibit the use of refillable water bottles.

“FIFA is committed to protecting the health and safety of all players, referees, fans, volunteers, and staff,” the statement read. “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 statement added that misting stations, fans, hydration stations and cooling tents would be available in “the stadium footprint.”

It also noted that bottled water sold inside the venue would be priced consistently with other events held at each stadium.

The rule change comes amid expert warnings that fans could face health risks from extreme heat at open‑air venues during the World Cup, which is being co‑hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

A report by the World Weather Attribution research group last month estimated that 26 of 104 games at the World Cup are likely to be played in conditions where the Wet Bulb Global Temperature (WBGT) exceeds 26 degrees.

WBGT measures heat stress on the human body by combining temperature, humidity, wind and sunlight.

At last year’s FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, where fans complained of searing temperatures, supporters were also barred from bringing water bottles into venues.

The post World Cup fans barred from bringing water bottles into stadia appeared first on Vanguard News.