FIFA HAS REVERSED its stadium policy ahead of the World Cup, banning fans from bringing water bottles into venues across North America.
FIFA’s official Stadium Code of Conduct said, “For the avoidance of doubt, empty, transparent, reusable plastic bottles, up to (1 litre in) capacity, may be brought into the Stadium.”
The update, made on June 2, reverses previous guidance that allowed fans to bring empty reusable plastic bottles into venues. Other bottle types remain prohibited due to safety concerns.
The ban is likely to prove controversial as fans will be unable to refill bottles at water fountains inside stadiums. At last summer’s Club World Cup, bottled water was sold at FIFA venues for $4-6. FIFA has a long-standing partnership with Coca-Cola, whose bottled water brand Dasani is expected to be available at World Cup stadiums.
FIFA also confirmed a record 1,248 players from 48 nations will compete in the tournament, the most in the event’s history.
