Date: June 3, 2026 l By: Dew Washer
VANCOUVER — Football fans preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup across Canada, the United States and Mexico may need to rethink traditional matchday celebrations after FIFA introduced a detailed stadium code of conduct that bans vuvuzelas and makes clear that body paint alone will not count as acceptable clothing.
The newly released rules are designed to standardize fan behaviour and stadium entry requirements across all tournament venues ahead of one of the largest sporting events in World Cup history. The regulations include restrictions on noise devices, clothing standards, prohibited items, and conduct inside stadium grounds.
Among the most talked-about changes is the ban on vuvuzelas — the plastic horns that became globally recognized during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Their loud, continuous sound divided opinions at the time, becoming both a cultural symbol and a source of frustration for players, broadcasters, and spectators.
Under FIFA’s updated code, fans are prohibited from bringing vuvuzelas, whistles, air horns, and similar noise-making devices into stadiums. Musical instruments larger than 12 centimetres in any direction will also require written approval before entry. Drones and reusable water bottles have additionally been placed on the restricted items list.
The regulations also establish expectations for fan attire. FIFA’s code states that supporters may not expose intimate body parts inside venues and specifies that body paint or body tattoos do not qualify as clothing under stadium requirements.
Security procedures for fans entering venues are also expected to be tighter than previous tournaments. Tournament guidance outlines restrictions on bags and entry items in an effort to improve screening efficiency and stadium safety across host cities.
The 2026 tournament will be jointly hosted by Canada, the United States, and Mexico, marking the first men’s FIFA World Cup to feature 48 national teams. Toronto is scheduled to host six matches, beginning June 12, including Canada’s first men’s World Cup match ever played on Canadian soil.
While many supporters are expected to embrace the atmosphere and celebration that define the World Cup experience, FIFA’s message ahead of kickoff is clear: passion is welcome, but it must fit within the rules.