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. djcc.club

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.

"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: The Al Shaqab Showjumping League Finals began at the Longines Indoor Arena yesterday, bringing together riders from across the region for the decisive three-day conclusion to the season.

Action got under way with the Al Shaqab Champions class (140cm), offering a prize fund of QR70,000, followed by the Youth Champions class (130cm) with QR45,000 at stake.

Preliminary competitions at 40cm and 80cm were also held as riders competed for podium places for valuable points, which will determine overall champions.

In the Al Shaqab Champions class, Canada’s Rami Younis claimed victory aboard Mauran S with a faultless round in 72.62 seconds.

Canada’s Rami Younis celebrates his win aboard Mauran S.

Qatar’s Sultan Salem Al Naemi finished second on Gannan de La Luce in 76.09 seconds, while Abdulrahman Mohammed Al Saaq secured third place riding Curt Lele in 77.74 seconds. Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed Alasaker placed fourth aboard Cassiano II with four faults in 68.09 seconds, while Qatar’s Ibrahim Yousef Almahmoud completed the top five on Qataro van het Texelhof with four faults in 73.70 seconds.

The Youth Champions class was won by Saudi Arabia’s Khaled Al Hadi aboard Capoen, who stopped the clock at 53.78 seconds without penalties.

Kuwait’s Madhy Alkhamees astride Caheelah de Beaufour was second in 55.04 seconds, narrowly ahead of Qatar’s Ibrahim Yousef Almahmoud and Perle Van Dorperheide in 55.34 seconds.

Al Hadi also took fourth place on Carlton de Sauvageonn in 55.91 seconds, while Sultan Salem Al Naemi finished fifth aboard Cethys de Vernay in 59.46 seconds.

The Introductory 1 class (40cm) attracted 39 participants, with Ali Mohammed Alawi taking victory on Currabawn Shadow after finishing closest to the optimum time with a score of 0/-0.06. Lujain Ibrahim and Coco Chanel SB placed second on 0/0.11, while Salma Khalifa Al Sarami and Zorro Z were third on 0/0.25. Abdullah Ahmad Al Naser riding Vegas finished fourth on 0/-0.36, followed by Hamza Mohammed Al Attiyah and Violet in fifth on 0/-0.44.

Qatari riders swept the top five places in the Introductory 80cm class, with Ahmad Khalid Al Muraikhi emerging victorious aboard Anyway II finishing closest to the optimum time with a score of 0/-0.02.

Salman Faisal Al Marri and Soul Rebel placed second on 0/-0.06, while Ghanim Thamer Al Maadadi and Kroaat Van Orchid’s were third on 0/-0.08.

Paris, France: Four-time former champion Iga Swiatek endured a miserable birthday as she was eliminated from the French Open fourth round on Sunday by Marta Kostyuk.

The Polish third seed went down 7-5, 6-1 to the 15th seed from Ukraine.

Kostyuk, the Madrid Open winner, moved into the quarter-finals at Roland Garros for the first time in her career.

"I'm still in shock to beat such an unbelievable player who won four times here and I lost four times to her before this, I never took a set off her," 23-year-old Kostyuk said.

Swiatek will now go another year without the title she first won in 2020 and then three times consecutively between 2022 and 2024.

With her fourth-round exit, it was the joint worst performance at Roland Garros for the 25-year-old, equal with the last-16 departure she suffered on her debut in Paris seven years ago.

The first set went on serve until the seventh game when Swiatek pounced on Kostyuk's service to move in front.

From there, the Pole's own delivery deserted her as the world number 15 hit back to level before the pair again exchanged another pair of breaks.

Kostyuk then dug in to hold and force the former world number one to try and serve to stay in the set.

Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk reacts after a point as she plays against Poland's Iga Swiatek on May 31, 2026. (Photo by Anne-Christine Poujoulat / AFP)

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Two Swiatek double faults gave Kostyuk the chance to claim the opener and she did with a low cross-court backhand that whizzed past her opponent at the net.

Swiatek swiftly departed the court at the interval in a bid to regroup.

She came back out firing as she immediately nosed ahead with a break to 15.

But Kostyuk was not to be denied as she sealed a three-game streak with a bruising forehand winner past a stranded Swiatek to lead 3-1.

A stunning rally concluded with a reflex volley at the net that Swiatek could not equal. In the next game a dominant Kostyuk held to love to move Swiatek to the brink.

The match was up for the six-time major winner as Kostyuk consistently pinned the Pole back with her powerful groundstrokes to win the final two games.

Kostyuk will face either seventh-seeded compatriot Elina Svitolina or Swiss 11th seed Belinda Bencic for a spot in the semi-finals.

So why is the new Reaction Sleeveless from Blue 0 such an upgrade on the previous model.

I decide to give this suit its first swims at the Salalah 70.3 and the Yousef Al Mulla Memorial triathlon. In Salalah the water temp was called at 28 degrees so wet suits were not allowed. However different story at the local race in Ghantoot. Although the water temp was probably around 27 degrees I decided to give it a go. First of swam a PB for an Olympic so off to a good start! At no time did I feel too hot in the suit when swimming with total flexibility in the shoulder and arms helping to keep cool. Keeping the core body temperature cool can help when heading out for a hot bike and run.

The neckline on the new suits is lower than the previous version which helps reduce chafing. Initially it did feel a little tight around the throat area but that soon disappeared once I started swimming. The buoyancy profile of 4mm in the chest, 5mm in the hips and 4mm in the legs suiting my style of swimming. This suit has 1.5mm leg panels that allow a super quick exit so you can get quickly down the road on the bike. No issues with locating the zip cord and the suit slides down to the hips really easy for a comfortable run into transition.

The new 2022 Reaction wet suit from Blue70 is the perfect all round suit: ideal for both both training and racing. It packs in some of the Helix product features making this a really great bang for the buck.

Of all the Blue70 suits the Reaction men’s sleeveless is the suit I enjoy swimming in the most. It was my preferred suit for Dubai Ironman 70.3 last year and even though there is a string argument to say that sleeved would be faster for a comfortable swim and a super-fast transition this is more flexible. For Dubai this is the perfect all year round suit.

By David Hunt

Doha, Qatar: Switzerland, Canada or Bosnia and Herzegovina. The opponents in Qatar’s Group B campaign at the FIFA World Cup 2026 matter little to Julen Lopetegui.

For the Qatar head coach, the focus is not on who stands across the pitch, but on how his side responds when the tournament begins in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

“I am not worried about whether we face Bosnia, Italy, Wales or Switzerland. What concerns me is how we compete,” Lopetegui said following the announcement of Qatar’s final 26-man squad.

“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.”

The two-time Asian champions will open their campaign against Switzerland on June 13 in the San Francisco Bay Area, before facing co-hosts Canada in Vancouver on June 18 - falling at 1am on June 19 in Qatar - and Bosnia and Herzegovina in Seattle on June 24.

Qatar’s place at a second consecutive World Cup carries a different meaning this time, having been secured through the competitive qualification pathway for the first time.

“This is a dream that has become a reality because the players earned their place at the World Cup. Now they have to enjoy the experience, but at the same time maintain the right mentality. We are not going there just to participate. We are there to compete, to enjoy the challenge and to give our best.”

The former Spain and Real Madrid coach said the journey has now moved into a more demanding phase where expectation replaces celebration.

“What happened in the past is history. Before, reaching the World Cup was a dream, and we achieved it. Now we have another dream and a bigger challenge ahead of us. We have worked very hard to put ourselves in this position and we must continue working hard to turn this opportunity into something special,” the coach said.

“We need the support of the whole country, but we also want the fans to enjoy this journey and be excited by the fact that Qatar will be competing on the world’s biggest stage. I am sure they will support us.”

Qatar players during a training session in Santa Barbara.

Internal competition driving standards

Lopetegui’s squad selection for the World Cup roster reflects a deliberate balance between continuity and fresh energy, with the Qatar coach retaining the core of an experienced group that has been central to recent continental success while also rewarding emerging performers who have forced their way into contention.

Senior players such as Hassan Al Haydos, Pedro Miguel and Boualem Khoukhi remain part of the spine of the side, bringing leadership and continuity, while younger names like Jassim Gaber, Mohammed Mannai and Tahsin Mohammed underline the fresh competition pushing through the ranks.

“It is always important for young players to push the more experienced ones. That is very good for the national team. At the moment, we have two or three new players who are really pushing hard and challenging the others in the squad. This raises the level of everyone and creates healthy competition within the team.”

The coach stressed that this internal push has lifted intensity across positions, with established players now required to consistently defend their places as Qatar build a squad driven by merit rather than hierarchy.

“Competition is important because it makes players more competitive. The experienced players have to be ready to defend their places, and that also says a lot about their character. We have seen this kind of character in several players, which is very positive for us,” he said.

The coach hailed players’ determination as they undergo final preparations in Santa Barbara, California.

“Since the day we arrived, all the players have given their best in every training session. They are excited to be here and eager to represent their country. I felt that from the very first day, and for me that is the most important thing,” said Lopetegui.

“I am very proud of many things about this group, and I hope to remain proud of them because I am confident they will show their very best.”