Hydration Policy Update for World Cup Fans

Fans attending World Cup matches in the US and Canada can bring one factory-sealed disposable water bottle into stadiums following FIFA's announcement. Reusable bottles remain prohibited for safety. Host cities will offer hydration stations and cooling tents amid concerns of dehydration in high temperatures during matches.

Fans attending World Cup matches in the United States and Canada will be permitted to bring a single factory-sealed disposable water bottle into stadiums, according to FIFA's latest directive. This decision comes after reusable bottles were deemed a safety concern and subsequently banned.

FIFA's Chief Operating Officer Heimo Schirgi explained the measure aims to address safety and security issues, particularly the potential hazard posed by throwable items like bottles. This adjustment updates the Stadium Code of Conduct, reversing earlier guidance that permitted empty, transparent reusable bottles.

The policy decision sparked worries about hydration, especially in stadiums where temperatures are predicted to surpass 25 degrees Celsius. To counter these concerns, host cities plan to implement heat-mitigation strategies, including hydration stations, misting zones, and cooling areas, with water prices inside stadiums reflecting those at similar events.