Fans heading to games at the World Cup will be banned from taking reusable water bottles into stadiums, a last-minute policy reversal that could add to concerns about heat at this summer’s tournament.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.“FIFA made the decision to prohibit bottles to prevent risk and injury to players and attendees,” a spokesperson for the global soccer governing body told NBC News in a statement Thursday.“Outside bottles are already prohibited at several of these venues for safety considerations, and FIFA is applying this consideration across its tournament stadiums,” the statement said.The move comes as heat is expected to be a major issue during the tournament, which is being jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Mikel Oyarzabal of Spain at a World Cup qualifying match in October.Florencia Tan Jun / Getty ImagesIn parts of the southern U.S., daytime temperatures regularly climb into the mid-80s Fahrenheit and beyond during June and July.The Club World Cup held in the U.S.
last summer drew complaints from players and fans about the heat.FIFA said it was working with host cities to provide measures aimed at keeping fans safe in the heat.“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.The change was reflected in FIFA’s updated Stadium Code of Conduct, a 35-page document outlining prohibited items and spectator rules.The code previously stated that fans could bring empty, transparent reusable plastic bottles with a capacity of up to one liter into stadiums.But in an updated version that language was replaced with a new rule stating that reusable water bottles are no longer permitted inside venues.This means attende...