City says FIFA taking ‘second look’ at water bottle policy after concerns raised around heat

Toronto Stadium sits ready for FIFA World Cup 2026 in Toronto on Thursday June 4, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

City of Toronto officials say they have reached out to FIFA about a last-minute policy change prohibiting people from bringing their own water to Toronto Stadium, voicing concerns about the possible heat impacts.

“I have reached out to FIFA. We have had a conversation. Obviously, we’re waiting for a final decision,” Sharon Bollenbach, executive director of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Toronto Secretariat, told reporters at a news conference Friday.

“I think they’re sort of taking a second look at that.”

FIFA unveiled a last-minute change this week to prohibit people from bringing their own water bottles to stadiums where games are being held. The organizations cited health and safety as reasons for the ban.

But Mayor Olivia Chow slammed the move Thursday as a “money grab,” as did Coun. Josh Matlow, who said the city should push back.

Bollenbach said that while she can’t force FIFA to change its policy at the stadiums, the city is taking measures to help people stay hydrated in areas under its control

“We will be allowing clear plastic refillable water bottles into FIFA Fan Festival,” she said, “and we will have HTO-To-Go stations and water stations at Fan Festival for fans to access water.”

The city will also have water stations at Nathan Phillips Square and other areas where large crowds are expected help people deal with the heat.

The city’s top doctor also weighed in on the water bottle ban at stadiums Friday, saying she has expressed concern about heat impacts in potentially steamy weather.

“If there was a heat alert on a game day, and people didn’t have access to water, we are concerned about the potential for heat impacts,” Dr. Michelle Murti, Toronto’s medical officer of health, told reporters.

“That is part of the response that we provided to the FIFA organizing committee, to say that we would want to make sure we are looking at everything possible, so that fans within the stadium can maintain that proper hydration to avoid any heat-related health impacts.”

She pointed out that in the event of a heat alert, there will be cooling spaces open to the public.

Bollenbach said the city is waiting to hear back from FIFA about their concerns.

Toronto Stadium, normally known as BMO Field, has been expanded for FIFA to accommodate upward of 45,000 people. Half of the matches are set to be played at the open-air stadium in the middle of the day.