Toronto to push back on FIFA World Cup's 'greedy' water bottle ban

The forecast for the upcoming FIFA World Cup opener in Toronto between Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina calls for temperatures up to 30 degrees C, and fans will not be allowed to bring reusable water bottles into the venue.

FIFA has informed ticket holders that reusable water bottles will no longer be permitted at any 2026 FIFA World Cup venue due to the "perceived risk of causing injury when thrown," according to The Athletic.

Some fans have called FIFA's new policy "inhumane", and the City of Toronto plans to push back.

Reacting to the news on social media, Toronto city councillor Josh Matlow called the decision "greedy" and "unreasonable," saying he plans to raise the issue at city hall on Thursday.

"Access to drinking water, especially when you're outside in the heat, should be a right no matter where you are," Matlow wrote. "The public's health and safety are simply more important than FIFA restricting fans from buying Coke products."

Access to drinking water, especially when you’re outside in the heat, should be a right no matter where you are in Toronto. The public’s health and safety is simply more important than FIFA restricting fans to buy Coke products. I’ll be asking city hall to push back on this… pic.twitter.com/Avu2TvJjHP

— Josh Matlow (@JoshMatlow) June 4, 2026

Toronto mayor Olivia Chow had similar comments to Matlow. She said FIFA's policy was "outrageous" and called on the non-profit organization to "stop it."

"It is outrageous. They are just trying to make more money," Chow said to CP24 on Thursday. "They are already making billions of dollars. Stop it."

Three weeks ago, FIFA's official Stadium Code of Conduct said: "For the avoidance of doubt, empty, transparent, reusable plastic bottles, up to (one litre) capacity, may be brought into the venue."

The organization also published graphics outlining the policy and allowing transparent, non-glass reusable bottles. During last summer's FIFA Club World Cup, which was held at several 2026 World Cup venues, reusable transparent bottles were also permitted.

Though an updated version of FIFA's Stadium Code of Conduct, published on June 2, removed that language entirely. It now reads: "For the avoidance of doubt, reusable water bottles may not be brought into the stadium."

The term "perceived risk of injury when thrown" has drawn scrutiny online, considering Coca-Cola, which is one of the tournament's partner sponsors, will sell Dasani brand water bottles for $7.00 at concessions inside Toronto Stadium.

So if a bottle is thrown, it might as well be a FIFA-sponsored one.