FIFA confirmed a change in policy this week which will stop fans from bringing reusable water bottles into stadiums for this summer’s World Cup
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has criticised FIFA’s decision to ban fans from bringing in reusable water bottles during matches at this summer’s World Cup. The football governing body updated their policy this week ahead of the tournament, which gets underway on June 11.
The United States, Canada and Mexico will co-host the tournament, with all three countries expected to have hot temperatures over the next few weeks. FIFA updated their policy from three weeks ago, which previously stated that “empty, transparent, reusable plastic bottles, up to (1 litre in) capacity, may be brought into the stadium”.
However, that has now changed, with FIFA now saying that “reusable water bottles are no longer permitted at the FIFA World Cup stadiums”. Starmer has now been asked about the change in policy and gave a clear verdict when expressing his frustration with FIFA.
“It’s just wrong. And I can’t help but think that it’s about making money,” the Prime Minister told LBC. “So you can’t bring plastic bottles in but you can buy a bottle of water when you get in the crowd?
“And then it’ll be expensive. The tickets themselves cost a fortune, far too expensive in my view.
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“So the ticket sales are too high. And this is the wrong policy.”
Starmer was also asked if he would look to intervene and contact FIFA. He said: “Well, I would call on FIFA to just look again at this.
“Think about it. Think of the fans. They are football fans from all sorts of backgrounds across our country, across the world. They’re already spending a fortune getting there. They’ve got to pay a lot for tickets, too much in my book.
“Don’t impose further costs on them. So I’d say (to) FIFA, look again.”
In a statement explaining the change in policy, a FIFA spokesperson said: “FIFA is committed to protecting the health and safety of all players, referees, fans, volunteers and staff.
“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.
“FIFA works closely with each host city committee and local authorities on heat mitigation factors for fans travelling to the stadium, which can include resources such as misting stations, fans, hydration stations, cooling tents and more around the stadium footprint.
“Inside the stadium footprint, pricing for water bottles for the Fifa World Cup 2026 will remain consistent with other events held at each stadium.”
Starmer is not the only politician to take issue with FIFA’s change in policy, with Toronto mayor Olivia Chow calling out the football governing body. “It is a pure money grab. Why do you need to buy a water bottle when you can just carry your water in,” Chow said in an interview with CTV News.
“It is cheaper that way and it is good for the environment. It is outrageous. They are just trying to make more money. They are already making billions of dollars. Stop it.”
New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani also expressed the reasons for his concern behind the change in policy.
“I was just alerted to that (Thursday) morning and it is concerning because the heat that we are talking about is not just the heat that the players are in, it is also the heat that spectators are going to be subjected to for arguably a longer period of time, as they will be there before the game starts and after the game finishes,” Mamdani told the Athletic.
“That is something that we are going to follow up (with FIFA) on to better understand the rationale.
“We don’t (want) anyone skimping on water because of the cost of water at the stadium, if they would otherwise be drinking. You (should) want to make it easier.”
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