FIFA changed its stadium code of conduct this week, and the fifa world cup bottle ban now stops ticket holders from bringing reusable water bottles into World Cup matches. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow called the move a "pure money grab" as Toronto prepares for six games in the tournament.
Olivia Chow and Toronto
Chow said the rule change is "outrageous" and argued that fans should be able to bring water in rather than buy it inside the stadium. She also said the city has limited room to push back because FIFA sets the rules at Toronto Stadium and other World Cup venues.
"It is a pure money grab. Why do you need to buy a water bottle when you can just carry your water in. It is cheaper that way and it is good for the environment," Chow said to CTV News on Thursday. In another interview with CP24, she added: "Maybe they could make water bottles free (inside the stadium). That would be good. That is a good gesture and further they could make special FIFA water bottles with free Toronto water".
FIFA Stadium Rules
FIFA said the decision is based on safety and security factors, including mitigating risks to players and spectators and ensuring a safe and efficient ingress experience for all attendees. It said additional heat mitigation and alternative hydration strategies will be available at FIFA World Cup 2026 stadiums, including misting stations, fans, hydration stations, cooling tents, and more at the last mile as fans enter the stadium.
The federation also said bottles from outside the stadium are already prohibited at several venues for safety considerations, and that it is applying that approach across its tournament stadiums. FIFA said the cost of water bottles inside the stadium footprint for the FIFA World Cup 2026 will remain consistent with other events held at each stadium.
Toronto Games And Heat
Josh Matlow called the ban on reusable bottles "fundamentally wrong," saying the host city contract favors FIFA. He added that it is not reasonable to restrict fans from bringing safe transparent reusable bottles with drinking water when they may be in "30 degree heat or higher" in an outdoor stadium exposed to the sun.
The FIFA World Cup begins on June 11, and the first of six games scheduled for Toronto is set for June 12. Fans heading into the tournament will now face the same bottle rule at Toronto Stadium and other World Cup venues, with FIFA pointing to heat mitigation measures and stadium security as the basis for the change.
