Despite expected high summer heat, FIFA tells World Cup fans to keep water bottles out
Soccer’s world governing body updated its code of conduct, disallowing ticket holders to bring in reusable plastic bottles for refill, a common occurrence at Lincoln Financial Field.
For fans in search of water to stave off expected high temperatures at this summer’s FIFA World Cup in Philadelphia: It might cost you.
A week before the start of the tournament, soccer’s world governing body pulled back on a clause within its 35-page stadium code of conduct that allowed ticket holders to bring in a reusable plastic bottle for refill across the 16 stadiums scheduled to host games across North America.
Lincoln Financial Field, renamed by FIFA to Philadelphia Stadium, is scheduled to host six matches beginning June 14, culminating with a round-of-16 knockout game on July 4. It’s one of the venues affected by FIFA’s decision, first reported by the Athletic.
FIFA’s code of conduct, updated on June 2, has new language that explicitly prohibits reusable plastic bottles from being “brought into the stadium.”
The sudden move arrives as high heat and humidity have been a consistent concern ahead of the tournament. FIFA already announced plans to have two mandatory three-minute cooling breaks for both the players — and the playing surface.
The idea of allowing reusable plastic bottles — ones which weren’t supposed to exceed one liter — was thought to be a safeguard for fans who are expected to watch many of these matches in searing summer heat, even for games at night.
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Philadelphia currently has one match scheduled to start at 4 p.m. (Curacao-Ivory Coast, June 25), three at 5 p.m. (France-Iraq, June 22; Croatia-Ghana, June 27; July 4 round of 16), a match at 7 p.m. (Ivory Coast-Ecuador, June 14), and the massive meeting between Haiti and World Cup favorites Brazil at 8:30 p.m. on June 19.
High temperatures in Philadelphia between mid-June and early July typically reach from the low-to-high 80s throughout the tournament, with lows in the mid-to-high 60s, according to National Weather Service data.
Comparatively, those temperatures should pale in comparison to what’s expected for matches in Los Angeles or even Dallas, though the latter will have matches played in an arena with a retractable roof, unlike here in Philadelphia.
Requests for comment from the Eagles and Lincoln Financial Field went unreturned, but with FIFA running operations inside the venue for the next month, there’s not much either can say. The same goes for Philadelphia Soccer 2026, the host city committee, which assists with logistical planning and other activities around the city, including the larger Fan Festival at Lemon Hill, but also doesn’t have a say in FIFA’s code of conduct or bylaws.
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Empty plastic reusable water bottles were allowed during last summer’s FIFA Club World Cup, but the rules were relaxed as FIFA didn’t take over stadium rights for the event and left it to Linc officials to enforce the rules and regulations.
On Monday, PS2026 released its own code of conduct for what’s allowed inside the festival grounds as part of its larger Know Before You Go campaign. Water bottles are allowed for entry, but must be plastic.
What is unknown is what the cost of water will be inside the stadium. Coca-Cola has been the longtime official beverage supplier to FIFA and its events. In the United States, Coca-Cola water holdings are Dasani, a purified and bottled source, and Smartwater, which the company acquired in 2009.
FIFA, which was asked what, if any, options it would provide fans to beat the heat and what anticipated costs might look like when it comes to bottled water for purchase, did not return a request for comment at the time of this report.
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Lincoln Financial Field does have standard water fountains and water bottle refill stations in both its 100 and 200 level concourses. Historically, fans are allowed to bring a “plastic, unlabeled” water bottle through security for refill. That practice has been encouraged by the venue, specifically during Eagles preseason games that typically take place during the dog days of August.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Nine nations will compete in five group stage matches this summer, plus two more in a knockout game on July 4. Here’s what you need to know about those countries — and what those fans need to know about Philly. Click here for more.
