FIFA has made a late change to its stadium code of conduct, banning World Cup ticket holders from bringing reusable water bottles into matches.
The change comes just over a week before the tournament begins on June 11, with Vancouver’s first match scheduled for June 13 between Australia and Türkiye at BC Place.
FIFA notified ticket holders of the change by email on Wednesday, citing safety concerns — specifically, that the bottles could be used as projectiles.
However, some people are concerned about the risk of dehydration, especially if a match takes place on a particularly hot day.
“We are entering some very hot weather, and when you have a crowded, sold-out stadium packed full of people in the heat during an afternoon game, or even a noon or early-morning game, it can get quite hot and people can become dehydrated quite easily,” family physician Dr. Anna Wolak said in an interview with CTV News on Wednesday.
Wolak, who is also an assistant clinical professor of medicine at the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University, said many fans are already financially stretched and may forgo buying water in favour of purchasing an alcoholic beverage.
Over the years, many events at BC Place have allowed attendees to bring reusable water bottles.
PavCo, the Crown corporation that owns and operates BC Place, directed a CTV News interview request about the change to FIFA.
FIFA declined an interview request but provided a statement saying outside bottles are already prohibited at a number of venues being used for the tournament across North America.
It insisted it is taking hydration and heat concerns seriously.
“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,” the statement said in part.
“Inside the stadium footprint, pricing for water bottles for the FIFA World Cup 2026 will remain consistent with other events held at each stadium.”
People CTV News interviewed along Vancouver’s seawall on Wednesday expressed concerns about the cost of buying water and the increased plastic waste associated with single-use bottles. However, some said they understood the safety concerns related to bottles potentially being thrown.
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