The 2026 FIFA World Cup is now fast approaching, and the vast majority of fans now know which matches they will be attending this summer.
A lot has been made about the ticket pricing at the tournament, but such is the demand to watch World Cup matches live, every stadium is still expected to be full for the majority of matches, in spite of the extortionate fees.
While most ticketed supporters will be most concerned about which seats they have been allocated and where they can go for a drink pre-match, there is one other consideration that should be at the forefront of their minds – prohibited items.
World Cup stadium prohibited items: The full list
FIFA are yet to release a full list of items that will be prohibited across all stadiums at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, information has been posted on the official Gillette Stadium website detailing which items will be banned during the seven matches that are taking place there.
Given that FIFA have always historically enforced a blanket ban across all stadiums for prohibited items, it's reasonable to assume that this list will be applicable at all 16 host stadiums in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
The full banned list is as follows:
- All bags except one-gallon clear, plastic freeze bags (max 11″ x 11″), clear plastic, vinyl or PVC (12″x 12″ x 6″) and smallest handheld wallets (6.5″ x 4.5″).
- Animals (other than service animals)
- Unmanned aerial vehicles, such as drones
- GoPro cameras and video cameras
- Tripods or monopods
- Portable folding and/or standalone chairs
- Seat cushions with pockets or zippers
- Strollers or baby seats
- Coolers or containers, including cans, bottles, and kegs
- Food or beverages
- Illegal drugs and substances
- Weapons of any kind, including pocket/ utility knives
- Umbrellas
- Clothing or signs with wires, batteries or electronic components
- Selfie sticks or any stick or pole of any size
- Noisemakers, bullhorns, air horns, vuvuzelas
- Balloons
- Beach balls, lacrosse balls, inflated soccer balls, and inflated footballs
- Fireworks, pyrotechnics, flares
- Laser pointers
- Hoverboards and Segways
- Any item deemed inappropriate or dangerous by stadium management
🤩 Some of the stadiums that will host the 2026 World Cup 🇺🇸🇨🇦🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/K7G0TGIWVA
— SPORF (@Sporf) June 17, 2022
World Cup stadiums: What you can bring
Effectively, FIFA officials want to reduce the risk of violence, piracy and terrorism as far as they possibly can. As such, even if you don't bring any items to the match, you are going to be searched thoroughly before you are allowed inside.
However, that doesn't mean to say you should feel bad about bringing any item that isn't listed above. Necessities such as mobile phones and money are perfectly reasonable to bring, as is any medication that you take regularly.
If you need to take specific food and/or drink due to dietary requirements and/or allergies, please contact the relevant stadium directly prior to your visit.
FGG says: Don't try anything stupid
Look, it's clear that certain stadiums are more relaxed than others across the world of football, hence why certain stadiums are regularly seen decked out with flares and smoke bombs while others require you to take the lid off your bottle of Coke before you enter the stands.
However, this is the FIFA World Cup we are talking about, so security is naturally going to be watertight. Don't try to bring anything prohibited, as it could result in you being turned away from the stadium entirely. Simply, it is not worth the risk.