NORTH AMERICA — Soccer fans planning to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup will face strict new regulations regarding what they can bring into stadiums. FIFA has officially updated its stadium code of conduct, implementing a blanket ban on vuvuzelas, air horns, whistles, and other excessively loud noise-making devices across all 16 host venues in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The vuvuzela, a plastic horn that gained global notoriety during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, was famously compared by many spectators and broadcasters to the sound of a swarm of bees. FIFA’s decision to prohibit the instrument is aimed at curbing the monotonous droning noise that many argue interferes with the broadcast experience and the atmosphere of the matches.
Security personnel at all venues have been instructed to confiscate these items at checkpoints. Beyond noise-makers, the updated code of conduct includes a variety of other prohibitions. The use of laser pointers is strictly forbidden, as is the removal of clothing to reveal intimate parts. Additionally, for safety reasons, spectators will not be permitted to bring reusable water bottles into the stadiums.
The governing body has made it clear that those who violate these policies risk being refused entry at the gates or ejected from the venue entirely.
The upcoming tournament, which features an expanded 48-team format, is set to kick off on June 11, 2026, with a match between Mexico and South Africa. The event will run through July 19, spanning cities across the three host nations. As the tournament approaches, FIFA officials are urging all attendees to review the full code of conduct to ensure a smooth entry process for the month-long celebration of football.
