US Prepares for Complex Health Challenges at 2026 World Cup with 48 Teams

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to become the largest edition in the tournament’s history, featuring 48 national teams and matches distributed across 11 cities in three countries. This scale introduces heightened complexity in managing public health, particularly in the rapid exchange of information and monitoring potential cases across borders.

As the tournament approaches in North America, public health experts have issued warnings about the intricate health challenges that this global sporting event could present. These challenges encompass managing traditional health risks as well as addressing the potential emergence of new diseases or the resurgence of known illnesses.

Dr. Rebecca Katz, director at the Center for Global Health Science and Security at Georgetown University, highlighted that any large-scale gathering inherently carries multiple health risks. She emphasized that health professionals always prepare for unexpected threats during such events. Katz noted that the 2026 edition will serve as an exceptional test for health systems due to its unprecedented size and the distribution of matches across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

This World Cup occurs amid ongoing global outbreaks of various infectious diseases that have recently raised international health concerns. Among these is the Ebola virus, which has reappeared in parts of Africa, notably in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. This resurgence prompted the World Health Organization to declare a public health emergency of international concern.

The tournament also coincides with persistent worries about seasonal respiratory viruses and their frequent mutations. Additionally, there has been an increase in measles cases reported in several countries, including the United States, Canada, and Mexico—the host nations of the event.

Health experts are also monitoring other rare viruses such as Hantavirus, which sporadically emerges in various regions. Furthermore, mosquito-borne diseases like dengue fever and chikungunya remain potential threats, especially if environmental conditions favor their spread alongside increased travel and movement of people. These factors collectively heighten the risk of cross-border transmission during the influx of millions of fans, presenting an unprecedented challenge for health surveillance systems throughout the tournament.

The 2026 World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with the United States holding the majority of matches. The event is scheduled from June 11 to July 19, with games taking place in 11 American cities, including Los Angeles, Miami, and Dallas.

Local health officials in the host U.S. states have indicated that their planning is based on the principle of “constant anticipation of surprises.” They acknowledge that common illnesses such as respiratory viruses could escalate into more significant challenges during large gatherings. Measles has reemerged as a growing concern in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with a notable rise in recent infection rates.

Concerns extend beyond infectious diseases. Experts warn of additional risks linked to mass events, such as heat stress during summer months, deteriorating air quality, increased incidents of food poisoning, drug overdoses, and sexually transmitted infections. Some assessments describe these issues as part of the “usual health pressures” that intensify with crowd size.

Epidemiologist Caitlin Getlina pointed out that environmental and behavioral factors—including high temperatures, large crowds, physical exertion, and alcohol consumption—may increase emergency room visits during the tournament, even if there is no major epidemic outbreak.

Public health official Monica Roy explained that health authorities are working to establish an “invisible safety net” based on early detection and rapid response. She emphasized that the effectiveness of this system depends on the availability of resources and efficient coordination among different agencies.

Despite the concerns about serious diseases like Ebola, experts assess the likelihood of its transmission during the World Cup as relatively low, given that infection requires symptom onset before contagiousness. Nevertheless, preventive measures include airport screenings for travelers arriving from outbreak regions as part of a comprehensive precautionary plan.

In preparation for the event, federal and local health authorities are strengthening surveillance systems. These efforts involve analyzing wastewater data, hospital records, and traveler information to identify early signals of potential disease spread during the tournament.

Health experts hope that these enhanced measures will leave a lasting legacy beyond the World Cup by advancing more efficient monitoring and response systems capable of addressing future health crises, whether related to major events or broader public health contexts.