What you may and may’t convey to 2026 World Cup video games: water bottles, horns and extra

Fans will likely be allowed to convey empty, reusable water bottles into 2026 World Cup video games, however a big selection of different objects, together with most baggage, will likely be barred from stadiums all through the match, which will likely be held from June 11 to July 19 at places within the United States, Canada and Mexico.

FIFA, which runs the World Cup, spells out the semi-specific guidelines in a “Stadium Code of Conduct” that was revealed months in the past and not too long ago finalized, a FIFA spokesman confirmed to The Athletic.

The 35-page doc, which is written in three languages, consists of an prolonged listing of prohibited objects and habits.

Among the banned objects are apparent ones, corresponding to weapons, but additionally objects corresponding to balloons and “devices that produce noise or other excessively loud sounds, such as vuvuzelas, whistles, air horns, loudspeakers, etc.”

Some of the foundations are particular. Others are obscure and depart subjective enforcement within the arms of a number of completely different entities. The code of conduct states that it may be enforced by FIFA, by any of its U.S., Mexican or Canadian subsidiaries, and by stadium administration, “including their officers, employees, representatives, volunteers, security personnel, stewards and administrators, or any third parties contracted to provide services to the stadium.”

The requirement for water bottles to be emptied might come into explicit focus throughout video games performed in excessive summer time temperatures.

The following is a have a look at what is going to and gained’t be allowed in stadiums in the course of the World Cup.

Bag coverage

FIFA, as is widespread for organizers of main sports activities occasions as of late, will tightly prohibit the kind of baggage followers can convey into stadiums because of safety issues.

The “approved bags,” in line with the code of conduct, “must be clear and made of plastic, vinyl, or PVC material” in order “to allow security personnel to easily see the contents inside without having to open them.” The baggage “must not exceed 12 inches x 6 inches x 12 inches (30 cm x 30 cm x 15 cm).”

This primarily equates to a small, clear pouch. “Additionally, small clutch purses or wallets approximately the size of a hand are allowed, even if not clear and no larger than 4.5 inches x 6.5 inches (or 11cm x 16.5cm),” the doc provides.

It later confirms, for the avoidance of doubt: “Non-transparent bags, backpacks, large purses, camera bags, seat cushions with pockets, zippers, compartments or covers, and other similar items are generally prohibited.”

If a fan arrives on the stadium with such a bag, they can deposit it at a close-by locker-type storage facility after which decide it up after the match, as was doable at some Club World Cup matches final summer time.

In normal, the 2026 World Cup code of conduct is much like the 2025 Club World Cup model. At matches final yr, the fundamental guidelines have been posted at stadium entrances. Similar signage is prone to be put in this summer time, and the insurance policies will likely be communicated to followers in every of the 16 host markets.

Organizers posted indicators itemizing prohibited objects on the entrance to video games on the 2025 Club World Cup. (Henry Bushnell / The Athletic)

Prohibited objects

The broader listing of prohibited objects covers all types of potential threats, together with “any other object which could be used as a weapon, to cut, or to stab, or as a projectile, or any object which could in the opinion of the Event Organisers endanger the safety of others, including golf umbrellas or beach umbrellas, motorcycle helmets, hard hats and other similar objects.”

It additionally covers seemingly innocuous objects, corresponding to “significant quantities of paper or any rolls of paper.” Selfie sticks, tripods and video cameras are additionally prohibited.

The most related articles handle objects which can be frequent options at soccer matches in some components of the world, corresponding to drums or flares.

The latter is strictly banned. The prolonged listing of prohibited pyrotechnic paraphernalia consists of: “Any materials, articles or objects (including self-made items), the use of which can result in the generation of smoke, heat and/or flames including lighters, matches, fireworks, flares, smoke bombs and other smoke-emitting articles, compressed and liquefied gases, combustible solids, poisonous or noxious or pungent substances, oxidising substances and organic peroxides.”

Musical devices, alternatively, could also be allowed however will typically must be authorised by FIFA and stadium authorities on a case-by-case foundation.

“Any musical instruments (mechanical or manual) that cannot be fully visualized by security or that are larger than 12 cm x 12 cm x 12 cm (4.7 inches x 4.7 inches x 4.7 inches)” will likely be “subject to preapproval of the Event Organisers and security screening,” the doc states.

It additionally provides that organizers “may require” attendees “to stop using musical instruments if the sound emitting from the respective device interferes with event operations or the enjoyment of other [attendees].”

Similarly, giant banners, corresponding to tifos, will must be coordinated with FIFA prematurely. Among the prohibited objects are “flags, banners and posters except those that do not exceed 2 meters x 1.5 meters (78 inches x 60 inches) or unless approved in advance by the Event Organisers in writing.”

The code of conduct provides: “All such items must be presented at the stadium entrance for inspection by the event organisers.”

FIFA has not but opened the formal course of for followers to submit devices or banners for pre-approval. A spokesman stated that can occur over the approaching weeks.

Banners and flags will even be topic to a prolonged, open-to-interpretation coverage that prohibits “any materials, including but not limited to banners, flags, fliers, apparel and other paraphernalia, that are of a political, offensive and/or discriminatory nature, containing wording, symbols or any other attributes aimed at discrimination of any kind against a country, private person or group on account of race, skin colour, ethnicity, national or social origin, gender identity and expression, disability, language, religion, political opinion or any other opinion, birth, wealth or any other status, sexual orientation or on any other grounds.”

Additionally, a fan can, in fact, put on a group jersey or scarf, or one other clothes merchandise that doubles as sports activities memorabilia, however “sports equipment items such as inflatable balls, regardless of size, darts, and frisbees” are usually not permitted.

An space for followers to measure flags earlier than getting into MetLife Stadium on the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup (Henry Bushnell / The Athletic)

What you can convey to World Cup video games

In concept, something not lined by the prolonged code of conduct could possibly be permitted, though the doc additionally states that “event organizers reserve the ultimate right to make a final decision on whether any item brought to or into the stadium is prohibited and any decision must be respected.”

One of the few objects it explicitly permits is an empty bottle, the sort that may be refilled at a water fountain or dispenser. “For the avoidance of doubt,” the doc states, “empty, transparent, reusable plastic bottles, up to [1 liter in] capacity, may be brought into the Stadium.”

But water itself — and “any other liquids exceeding 100ml/3.38 oz.” — can’t be introduced in, excluding “baby milk and sterilised water in containers” or liquids {that a} fan requires for medical causes.

The similar goes for “food items of any kind.”

Additionally, any “bottles, cups, jars, cans or any other form of closed or capped receptacle that may be thrown or cause injury” are banned. So are “other objects made of glass or any other breakable material or especially hard packages or hard thermal boxes.”

One a part of the code notes that “cigarettes and electronic smoking devices” might be carried right into a stadium and “may be possessed,” however can’t be used. The code states that followers should not “smoke, vape or use any tobacco products as well as any electronic smoking device anywhere other than within outdoor designated smoking areas if they have been made available at the stadium.”

Among the opposite permitted objects are smartphones, watches and eyeglasses.

The doc additionally specifies that cultural or non secular headwear and medical masks are permitted.