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In a last-minute change to its Stadium Code of Conduct, FIFA announced June 4 that World Cup attendees will be banned from bringing refillable water bottles into venues.
Initially, FIFA permitted empty, transparent, reusable plastic bottles inside stadiums, Reuters reported. However, these water bottles are now prohibited, along with bottles, cups, jars, and cans, which are banned to prevent the risk of injury if thrown.
"FIFA is committed to protecting the health and safety of all players, referees, fans, volunteers, and staff," FIFA said in a statement to Reuters. "FIFA made the decision to prohibit bottles to prevent risk and injury to players and attendees."
The statement continued, "Outside bottles are already prohibited at several of these venues for safety considerations and FIFA is applying this consideration across its tournament stadiums."
The 2026 World Cup tournament will kick off on Thursday, June 11 in Mexico City. The first of eight games at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford will be on June 13 as Brazil takes on Morocco.
Closing out more than a month of play and a total of 104 matches, the tournament will come to an end in the final match at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, July 19.
The decision to ban water bottles has proven to be controversial, according to reports. As detailed by USA TODAY, weather is one of the biggest concerns for this World Cup with only five of the 16 host stadiums having a roof. MetLife Stadium does not have a roof.
Last summer's Club World Cup, which was also held in the United States, had players, coaches, and fans complaining about the heat, according to USA TODAY.
FIFA told Reuters that measures will be in place to deal with weather conditions, stating, "FIFA works closely with each Host City Committee and local authorities on heat mitigation factors for fans traveling to the stadium, which can include resources such as misting stations, fans, hydration stations, cooling tens, and more around the stadium footprint."
Pricing for water bottles at each stadium will remain consistent with other events held there, FIFA said.
Water bottles have been banned, but what about bags, banners, and other items?
If you're planning to attend a World Cup match at MetLife Stadium, which has been temporarily renamed New York New Jersey Stadium for the tournament, here's everything you need to know.
All FIFA stadiums will follow a clear bag policy for the World Cup. According to FIFA, only clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags will be allowed into the stadium at a maximum size of 12 inches x 6 inches x 12 inches. According to the Stadium Code of Conduct, the purpose of clear bags is to allow security personnel to easily see what's inside without having to open them.
Small clutches, wallets, and purses, even if not clear, are allowed as long they do not exceed 4.5 inches x 6.5 inches.
The Code of Conduct later adds that non-transparent bags, backpacks, large purses, camera bags, seat cushions with pockets, zippers, compartments or covers, and other similar items are generally prohibited.
All bags will be inspected upon entering the stadium.
Small flags, banners, and posters made of a fire-resistant material are allowed inside the stadium as long as they do not exceed 78 inches x 60 inches. Larger items or instruments must be approved in advance, according to FIFA.
FIFA's stadium policy details a range of items that are "strictly prohibited at all times in the stadium unless expressly authorized," where appropriate, by the event organizers.
The list of prohibited items at MetLife Stadium, and all other FIFA World Cup venues, includes:
To view the full, detailed list of prohibited items, including food and liquids, review FIFA's Stadium Code of Conduct or visit the FIFA World Cup 2026 Fan Safety and Support website.
FIFA has a strict no re-entry policy. According to the FIFA website, ticket holders who leave the stadium after entry will not be permitted to re-enter except in "exceptional circumstances," such as a medical emergency.
MetLife Stadium's gates will open three hours before kickoff for each match, except the championship, during which gates will open four hours before kickoff.
New Jersey Transit published its own list of items and behaviors that are "strictly prohibited" on buses, trains, light rail vehicles, stations, platforms, terminals, and bus lanes.
Bags, containers, signs, flags, and banners must comply with FIFA's policies, according to the NJ Transit's World Cup website.
You can view the full list of prohibited items at https://njtworldcup.com/njt-guest-policy/.
NJ Transit riders can report suspicious activity by texting 65873 or calling NJ Transit Police at 888-847-7658.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: FIFA bans water bottles at World Cup. What else is banned at MetLife?
Continue reading...
Initially, FIFA permitted empty, transparent, reusable plastic bottles inside stadiums, Reuters reported. However, these water bottles are now prohibited, along with bottles, cups, jars, and cans, which are banned to prevent the risk of injury if thrown.
"FIFA is committed to protecting the health and safety of all players, referees, fans, volunteers, and staff," FIFA said in a statement to Reuters. "FIFA made the decision to prohibit bottles to prevent risk and injury to players and attendees."
The statement continued, "Outside bottles are already prohibited at several of these venues for safety considerations and FIFA is applying this consideration across its tournament stadiums."
The 2026 World Cup tournament will kick off on Thursday, June 11 in Mexico City. The first of eight games at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford will be on June 13 as Brazil takes on Morocco.
Closing out more than a month of play and a total of 104 matches, the tournament will come to an end in the final match at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, July 19.
The decision to ban water bottles has proven to be controversial, according to reports. As detailed by USA TODAY, weather is one of the biggest concerns for this World Cup with only five of the 16 host stadiums having a roof. MetLife Stadium does not have a roof.
Last summer's Club World Cup, which was also held in the United States, had players, coaches, and fans complaining about the heat, according to USA TODAY.
FIFA told Reuters that measures will be in place to deal with weather conditions, stating, "FIFA works closely with each Host City Committee and local authorities on heat mitigation factors for fans traveling to the stadium, which can include resources such as misting stations, fans, hydration stations, cooling tens, and more around the stadium footprint."
Pricing for water bottles at each stadium will remain consistent with other events held there, FIFA said.
Water bottles have been banned, but what about bags, banners, and other items?
If you're planning to attend a World Cup match at MetLife Stadium, which has been temporarily renamed New York New Jersey Stadium for the tournament, here's everything you need to know.
FIFA's clear bag policy
All FIFA stadiums will follow a clear bag policy for the World Cup. According to FIFA, only clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags will be allowed into the stadium at a maximum size of 12 inches x 6 inches x 12 inches. According to the Stadium Code of Conduct, the purpose of clear bags is to allow security personnel to easily see what's inside without having to open them.
Small clutches, wallets, and purses, even if not clear, are allowed as long they do not exceed 4.5 inches x 6.5 inches.
The Code of Conduct later adds that non-transparent bags, backpacks, large purses, camera bags, seat cushions with pockets, zippers, compartments or covers, and other similar items are generally prohibited.
All bags will be inspected upon entering the stadium.
Are flags, banners, and posters allowed inside the stadium?
Small flags, banners, and posters made of a fire-resistant material are allowed inside the stadium as long as they do not exceed 78 inches x 60 inches. Larger items or instruments must be approved in advance, according to FIFA.
These items are prohibited from FIFA World Cup games at MetLife Stadium
FIFA's stadium policy details a range of items that are "strictly prohibited at all times in the stadium unless expressly authorized," where appropriate, by the event organizers.
The list of prohibited items at MetLife Stadium, and all other FIFA World Cup venues, includes:
- Weapons of any kind (including for self-defense), ammunition or components of guns, piercing or bladed items, electric incapacitation devices (tasers, stun guns, etc.), mace, pepper spray, or other chemical irritants; explosives, detonators, and items containing or concealing such prohibited items; any other object which could be used as a weapon.
- Work tools of any kind.
- Body protection gear or corsets, including bullet-proof vests and items used in martial arts or extreme sports.
- Helmets as well as any other means of disguise or items specifically designed for concealing a person's identity, except for religious headwear, medical masks, and face shields.
- Materials, articles, or objects that can result in the generation of smoke, heat, and/or flames, including lighters, matches, fireworks, flares, smoke bombs, etc. Cigarettes and electronic smoking devices are allowed to be possessed but not used inside the stadium.
- Sports equipment items.
- Other inflated or inflatable items, such as balloons.
- Strollers, bicycles, rollerblades, skateboards, kick scooters, and electric scooters.
- Significant quantities of paper or any rolls of paper.
- Any quantities of powdery materials, flour, or similar substances. Small makeup elements like compact powder, shadows, blush, lipsticks, glosses, etc. are permitted inside the stadium.
- Any type of animal, except for service animals.
To view the full, detailed list of prohibited items, including food and liquids, review FIFA's Stadium Code of Conduct or visit the FIFA World Cup 2026 Fan Safety and Support website.
Will re-entry be allowed into World Cup games at MetLife Stadium?
FIFA has a strict no re-entry policy. According to the FIFA website, ticket holders who leave the stadium after entry will not be permitted to re-enter except in "exceptional circumstances," such as a medical emergency.
MetLife Stadium's gates will open three hours before kickoff for each match, except the championship, during which gates will open four hours before kickoff.
Prohibited items for NJ Transit riders
New Jersey Transit published its own list of items and behaviors that are "strictly prohibited" on buses, trains, light rail vehicles, stations, platforms, terminals, and bus lanes.
Bags, containers, signs, flags, and banners must comply with FIFA's policies, according to the NJ Transit's World Cup website.
You can view the full list of prohibited items at https://njtworldcup.com/njt-guest-policy/.
NJ Transit riders can report suspicious activity by texting 65873 or calling NJ Transit Police at 888-847-7658.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: FIFA bans water bottles at World Cup. What else is banned at MetLife?
Continue reading...
