Fifa banned reusable water bottles to prevent stadium injuries

In a move that pitted environmental sustainability against physical security, football's global governing body implemented a strict ban on reusable water bottles for the 2026 World Cup. While modern stadiums often encourage fans to bring their own containers to reduce plastic waste, officials determined that hard-sided bottles and metal tumblers posed a significant safety risk. The primary concern was not the liquid inside, but the potential for the containers themselves to be used as projectiles thrown from the stands.