06/04/26 08:17:00
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06/04 20:12 CDT FIFA prohibits fans from bringing refillable water bottles into
World Cup stadiums
FIFA prohibits fans from bringing refillable water bottles into World Cup
stadiums
CORAL GABLES, Fla (AP) --- FIFA has made a late change of policy to bar World
Cup fans from bringing refillable water bottles into the tournament's 16
stadiums across North America including some with limited or no shade from the
sun.
The "Stadium Code of Conduct" update was criticized Thursday by an English fan
group, which argued FIFA had given assurances on carrying empty plastic bottles
to fill with freely available water at a tournament where heat and extreme
weather are expected to be a factor.
"Naturally, the immediate thought from supporters is this is just the latest
money grab," the Free Lions fan group said in a statement.
Water, sodas and juices sold at World Cup stadiums are supplied exclusively by
long-time FIFA sponsor Coca-Cola when the tournament starts next Thursday.
Andrew Giuliani, who is the executive director of the White House Task Force
for this year's World Cup, said conversations are ongoing with FIFA about the
decision.
"Certainly understanding that fans with bottles --- if anything is frozen
there, they can throw that, utilize it as a weapon," Giuliani said to a group
of reporters, including The Associated Press, Thursday at a World Cup kickoff
event in Miami. "That's something, frankly, that we are still in discussions
with FIFA about. They made their announcement yesterday, so I don't want to
comment on it just yet."
FIFA President Gianni Infantino was also at the event in Miami beach Thursday
evening but did not take questions from reporters.
Giuliani added there is a balance between preparing for hot temperatures and
monitoring security risks.
"Understanding these games are going to be very hot. We want to make sure that
fans have access to water, so that way they can be hydrated," he said. "We also
want to make sure that everybody is safe and that people can't bring a weapon
in there. So those conversations are still ongoing."
FIFA's stadium rules had stated that fans could bring in a transparent,
reusable bottle up to one liter, or 33.8 oz. capacity.
The latest document dated Tuesday now states "for the avoidance of doubt,
reusable water bottles may not be brought into the stadium."
"In all of our discussions," the England fans' group said, "free water
availability in stadiums was a key one and we were assured by FIFA that this
would be the case."
In a statement Thursday, the world soccer body said the decision to prohibit
bottles --- which could be thrown --- was "to prevent risk and injury to
players and attendees."
"FIFA is committed to protecting the health and safety of all players,
referees, fans, volunteers, and staff," it said.
FIFA said some of the 16 stadiums had already prohibited fans from bringing
water bottles, so the policy would apply across them all.
With temperatures at 32 Celsius (90 Fahrenheit) and above expected in many of
the U.S., Mexican and Canadian cities hosting the 104 games, FIFA said "heat
mitigation" for fans approaching stadiums would include "misting stations,
fans, hydration stations, cooling tents, and more."
"Inside the stadium footprint, pricing for water bottles for the FIFA World Cup
2026 will remain consistent with other events held at each stadium," the soccer
body said.
FIFA has reacted to expected heat in some outdoor stadiums by enforcing
three-minute drinks breaks midway through each half at all games. Critics have
said turning all games into four quarters was to create more breaks for
broadcasters to sell advertising.
"For all of the effort they are going to with ?drinks breaks' for the players,
this is such a strange, late change," the Free Lions fan group said of the
water bottle ban.
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AP Sports Writer Alanis Thames in Miami Beach, Florida, contributed to this
report.
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AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
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