FIFA bans vuvuzelas from World Cup stadiums

Published 05 Jun, 2026 01:36pm 1 min read

Soccer fans looking to bring the party to World Cup games will have to go without vuvuzelas, ​with FIFA banning the plastic horns from venues ‌in the US, Canada and Mexico in its stadium code of conduct.

Vuvuzelas, a horn made with a long plastic shell, ​are a staple of South African soccer matches ​and took the world by storm at the ⁠2010 World Cup in South Africa.

But they have ​drawn criticism over their monotonous droning sound, often likened ​to a swarm of bees.

Along with vuvuzelas, whistles, air horns and other excessively loud noise-making devices are prohibited from all 16 World ​Cup venues, according to FIFA’s stadium code of ​conduct.

Instruments that emit laser beams, laser pointers or similar emissions are ‌also ⁠banned.

The list of prohibited items and behaviours goes on to state that body paint and body tattoos do not constitute clothing. Streaking, flashing or removing clothing to ​reveal intimate ​body parts is ⁠also prohibited.

FIFA has also banned spectators from bringing reusable water bottles into venues, citing ​safety concerns.

Attendees who violate the rules can be ​refused ⁠entry or removed from the stadium, the code says.

The expanded 48-team World Cup, hosted by the US, Canada and ⁠Mexico, ​runs from June 11 to ​July 19. Mexico will open the tournament against South Africa on June ​11.

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