World Cup fans barred from bringing water bottles into stadia

New York: FIFA has banned fans from bringing refillable water bottles into World Cup venues in a last-minute policy change that will force thirsty supporters to pay for bottled water, The Athletic reported on Wednesday.

As recently as last month, FIFA's official stadium code of conduct included a clause which read: "For the avoidance of doubt, empty, transparent, reusable plastic bottles, up to (1 liter in) capacity, may be brought into the Stadium."

However The Athletic reported on Wednesday that those guidelines had now been tweaked to explicitly ban refillable bottles. sports24.club

"For the avoidance of doubt, reusable water bottles may not be brought into the stadium," an updated stadium code of conduct read.

In a statement to AFP, a FIFA spokesperson said the rule change was taken on safety grounds, noting that several World Cup venues already barred the use of refillable water bottles.

"FIFA is committed to protecting the health and safety of all players, referees, fans, volunteers, and staff," the statement read.

"FIFA made the decision to prohibit bottles to prevent risk and injury to players and attendees.

"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 added that misting stations, fans, hydration stations and cooling tents would be available in "the stadium footprint".

It added that bottled water inside the venue would be sold at prices which "remain consistent with other events held at each stadium."

The rule change comes despite experts warning fans could face health risks from extreme heat at open-air venues during the World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

A report published by the World Weather Attribution research group last month estimated that 26 of 104 games at the World Cup are likely to be played in conditions where the Wet Bulb Global Temperature (WBGT) exceeds 26 degrees.

WBGT is a measure of heat stress on the human body which combines temperature, humidity, wind and sunlight.

At last year's FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, where fans complained of searing temperatures, supporters were also barred from bringing water bottles into venues.

Doha, Qatar: With the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to kick off across the United States, Canada and Mexico, Asia will be represented by a record nine nations at football’s biggest tournament. The expanded 48-team format has increased the continent’s presence, with a mix of established powers and first-time qualifiers heading to North America.

Among the AFC representatives, Japan enter the 2026 World Cup as the AFC’s strongest team, backed by a talented squad and a strong recent World Cup record. Iran is widely considered Asia’s second-strongest side, with Republic of Korea close behind in third. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan and Jordan will both make their historic World Cup debuts after qualifying for the tournament for the first time.

Japan (FIFA world ranking 18th)

Japan head to the World Cup as Asia’s highest-ranked nation. The Samurai Blue dominated Group C in final qualifying, finishing first with 23 points to clinch an eighth consecutive World Cup appearance. Japan’s preparations ended on a winning note when Koki Ogawa’s 87th-minute header secured a 1-0 friendly victory over Iceland on May 31. At the finals, Japan will face the Netherlands, Tunisia, and Sweden in group F.

Iran (Ranked 21st)

Iran once again showed why they are one of Asia’s most consistent teams. Team Melli topped Group A with 23 points to book a fourth straight World Cup berth and the nation’s seventh overall. The Iranians went into the tournament with confidence after a 3-1 win over Gambia on May 29 in Antalya. Iran will play in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand.

Republic of Korea (Ranked 25th)

Republic of Korea remained undefeated in qualifying, winning Group B with 22 points to extend its remarkable streak of consecutive World Cup appearances. The Koreans will be making a 12th overall final; 11th in a row. They capped their preparations with a commanding 5-0 friendly victory over Trinidad and Tobago on May 30. In the finals, Republic of Korea is drawn in Group A with Mexico, South Africa, and the Czech Republic.

Australia (Ranked 27th)

Australia recovered from a poor start to finish second in Group C with 19 points, clinching an automatic place in its sixth straight World Cup. The Socceroos have become one of AFC’s most experienced teams and will compete in Group D with Turkiye, the United States and Paraguay. In their final warm-up, Australia fell narrowly 1-0 to hosts Mexico on May 30.

Uzbekistan (Ranked 50th)

Uzbekistan penned one of the great success stories of AFC qualifying by reaching the World Cup for the first time. The Central Asian side finished second in Group A with 21 points just two behind Iran to claim its first ever finals appearance. This historic achievement follows seven unsuccessful bids for qualification. The “White Wolves” wrapped up preparations with a 2-0 friendly loss to co-host Canada on June 1. In the finals, Uzbekistan will compete in Group K with Portugal, Congo DR, and Colombia.

Qatar (Ranked 55th)

The 2022 World Cup hosts will again appear on football’s biggest stage, but this time after qualifying on the pitch. Qatar finished fourth in Group A, then regrouped in the play-offs and won Play-off Group A by beating UAE 2-1, earning their first-ever World Cup qualification through competition. Al-Annabi most recently lost 1-0 to Republic of Ireland in a friendly on May 28, but will draw on their experience as they prepare to face co-host Canada, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Switzerland in Group B.

Iraq (Ranked 57th)

Iraq takes the longest qualification route among the AFC teams. The Lions of Mesopotamia finished third in Group B and then advanced through the continental play-offs, culminating in a dramatic 2-1 intercontinental play-off win over Bolivia in March 2026. This marks Iraq’s return to the World Cup for the first time since 1986. Under coach Graham Arnold, Iraq enters Group I with France, Senegal, and Norway on a high after a 1-0 friendly win over Andorra on May 29.

Saudi Arabia (Ranked 61st)

Saudi Arabia comfortably sealed a World Cup spot by topping Play-off Group B in Round 4 of AFC qualifying. The Green Falcons had finished third in Group C but rebounded strongly to claim direct qualification, securing their seventh finals appearance. Saudi Arabia will compete in Group H alongside Spain, Cabo Verde and Uruguay. In a recent friendly, the Saudis fell 2-1 to Ecuador on May 30 as they finalised preparations.

Jordan (Ranked 63rd)

Jordan rounds out Asia’s representatives. The Al-Nashama enjoyed a sensational qualifying run, finishing second in Group B with 16 points to clinch the nation’s first-ever World Cup appearance. This historic achievement is the biggest in Jordanian football history.

The debutants faced a tough tune-up on May 31, losing 4-1 to Switzerland, but they will take confidence from how far they have come. Jordan will play in Group J with Argentina, Algeria, and Austria.

The qualification of nine AFC nations for 2026 reflects the growing depth and competitiveness of Asian football. Experienced sides such as Japan, Iran, Republic of Korea, and Australia will look to lead the charge, while new qualifiers like Uzbekistan and Jordan bring fresh intrigue. Together, they form Asia’s largest-ever contingent at a World Cup, ready to prove they can compete with the sport’s elite.

A closer look at Al Annabi’s Group B opponents: Switzerland, Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina

Doha, Qatar: Qatar’s quest for a first-ever FIFA World Cup knockout stage berth will hinge on how they navigate a challenging but not insurmountable Group B featuring Switzerland, co-hosts Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Having secured qualification through the traditional route for the first time in their history, Al Annabi arrive in North America with greater belief than four years ago, when their home World Cup ended with three defeats from three matches.

“Our first target is to clear the group and we have a chance to qualify for the knockout stage and we are ready,” defender Pedro Miguel said recently.

“We will give everything to qualify. We just have to fight until the end. After we qualify, we will take one match at a time.”

Head coach Julen Lopetegui has echoed that mindset since naming his final 26-man squad, insisting Qatar must focus on themselves rather than the reputations of their opponents.

“I am not worried about whether we face Bosnia, Italy, Wales or Switzerland. What concerns me is how we compete,” the Spaniard said.

“In theory, any of those teams may be stronger than us, but they have to prove that on the pitch. Our job is to defend our chances and compete from the first minute.”

Qatar open their campaign against Switzerland in Santa Clara on June 13 before meeting co-hosts Canada in Vancouver on June 18, a match that will be played in the early hours of June 19 Qatar time. Their group stage concludes against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Seattle on June 24.

Switzerland set the benchmark

Ranked 19th in the world, Switzerland enter as the highest-ranked side in the group and are widely viewed as favourites to top it. The Swiss have become one of Europe’s most consistent tournament teams, reaching the knockout stages in each of the last three World Cups.

Captain Granit Xhaka, Switzerland’s most-capped player, will feature at his fourth successive World Cup, while Ricardo Rodriguez is also set for a fourth appearance. Manager Murat Yakin has retained a strong core from the squad that reached the knockout rounds in Qatar four years ago, with 17 members returning.

Organised and experienced Switzerland present Qatar’s toughest test and an early test of how far Al Annabi have progressed since 2022.

Canada banking on home support

Canada, ranked 30th, carry the expectations of a co-host nation and will enjoy strong backing on home soil.

Their 2022 World Cup return in Qatar ended in three defeats, but performances showed progress. Under Jesse Marsch, they have continued to improve, highlighted by a Copa America semi-final run in 2024.

Alphonso Davies remains the standout name, though he is managing a hamstring issue, while Jonathan David and Cyle Larin offer proven attacking quality. Marsch’s squad blends experience with a younger core that has developed over the past two years.

For Qatar, the Vancouver meeting could prove crucial in the fight for knockout qualification.

Bosnia and Herzegovina chasing history

Bosnia and Herzegovina arrive with momentum after sealing qualification by defeating Italy on penalties in the play-off final, following a shootout win over Wales. It marks only their second World Cup appearance since their debut in 2014.

Veteran striker Edin Dzeko, now 40, remains central to their hopes, supported by experienced players including Sead Kolasinac and Ermedin Demirovic. A younger group led by Esmir Bajraktarevic has added fresh energy.

Bosnia may be the lowest-ranked side in the group, but their qualifying run underlined resilience and composure under pressure. Their head coach Sergej Barbarez has set an ambitious tone ahead of the tournament.

“First of all, we’ll show who we are,” Barbarez told FIFA.

“The results speak for themselves – we’ll make life difficult for every opponent. We want to prove we can mix it with the best.”

Different Qatar, different expectations

Qatar arrive in North America with a squad blending established leaders such as Akram Afif, Almoez Ali, Hassan Al Haydos and Miguel with a younger generation eager to make its mark.

Unlike 2022, when the pressure of hosting weighed heavily, Qatar enter this tournament with more experience and less external expectation.

“We are feeling less pressure because we are not playing at home,” Miguel said.

“We had a lot of pressure to play an amazing World Cup in front of our home fans. Unfortunately we couldn’t do it. But that is part of football. It’s been four years and we have a lot more experience now.”

With the top two teams guaranteed progression to the round of 32 and additional spots available for some third-placed sides, Qatar know their knockout hopes remain within reach. As Lopetegui has repeatedly stressed, Qatar’s qualification hopes will be decided not by names in the group, but by execution on the pitch.

في خطوة تعكس الطموح القطري لاستضافة دورة الألعاب الأولمبية والبارالمبية 2036، تم تعيين السيدة فاطمة سلطان الكواري رئيسًا تنفيذيًا لملف ترشح قطر، ضمن مساعي الدولة لتقديم أول دورة ألعاب أولمبية وبارالمبية في الشرق الأوسط ويأتي هذا التعيين ضمن جهود إعداد ملف متكامل يستند إلى سجل دولة قطر في استضافة أكبر الأحداث الرياضية العالمية، ويعكس التزامها بتوظيف الرياضة منصة للتنمية والتقارب بين الشعوب وتعزيز الحوار والتفاهم الثقافي.
وتتمتع السيدة فاطمة الكواري بخبرة تنفيذية تمتد لأكثر من عشرين عامًا، وتشغل منصبًا قياديًا رفيعًا في شركة أريدُ العالمية للاتصالات، حيث تمتلك سجلًا حافلًا في مجالات الاستراتيجية والعمليات والتحول المؤسسي عبر الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا وجنوب شرق آسيا.
كما شغلت عددًا من المناصب القيادية ضمن اللجنة التنفيذية للمجموعة، وأشرفت على عمليات تشغيلية في تسعة أسواق، وأسهمت في تأسيس ماراثون أريدُ الدوحة عام 2013.
ومن المقرر أن تتولى الكواري قيادة الجوانب الاستراتيجية والتنفيذية والتنظيمية للملف، والتنسيق مع مختلف الشركاء المحليين والدوليين لدعم إعداد ملف تنافسي متكامل يعكس تطور البنية التحتية الرياضية في دولة قطر ورؤيتها طويلة المدى.
ويأتي هذا التعيين في إطار طموح دولة قطر لتقديم نسخة أولمبية وبارالمبية استثنائية، تعكس مكانة الدولة وقدرة المنطقة على استضافة أكبر الأحداث العالمية، وتوظيف الرياضة منصة للتنمية والتقارب وصناعة إرث إنساني مستدام.