[Saba Sports News] Earlier this week, FIFA rolled out a new rule banning reusable water bottles from stadiums, which sparked widespread public outcry. Bowing to pressure from the media and fans, the governing body relaxed the restrictions on June 6.
FIFA shared a video on social media featuring Heimo Schirgi, Chief Operating Officer of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He announced that all fans may bring one factory-sealed disposable soft plastic bottle of up to 20 ounces (590 millilitres) to any World Cup match held in the United States and Canada.
Notably, Mexico was not mentioned in the announcement, meaning fans are still prohibited from bringing water bottles into venues for games staged there. Schirgi explained the move was based on “multiple safety-related factors to reduce risks for players and spectators”.
In my view, this is a compromise made in response to public backlash. While it is an improvement over a total ban, it fails to resolve the fundamental structural conflict where commercial control is exercised under the guise of safety. The inconsistent enforcement across the US, Canada and Mexico also undermines the credibility of the rule. Going forward, FIFA needs to clarify the reasoning behind its decisions, adopt uniform standards and set up free water stations to truly respect spectators’ basic rights.