Preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup: Health Officials Brace for Challenges
As the FIFA World Cup approaches next week, athletes and fans are getting excited, but global health officials are gearing up for a different kind of challenge: safeguarding against infectious diseases.
This tournament is set to be the largest in history, spanning 16 host cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with 48 teams participating. Complicating matters, there’s an ongoing Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda, which the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified as a “public health emergency of international concern.”
However, experts such as infectious disease specialists suggest that the risk of Ebola spreading widely during the World Cup remains low. Health departments and hospitals are reportedly well-equipped to handle a variety of potential threats, even following significant cuts to public health funding under previous administrations.
“Ebola and hantavirus are less of a concern,” noted Dr. Shruti Gohil, an associate medical director at UC Irvine Health. “The likelihood isn’t zero, but it’s very low since it doesn’t transmit easily between people.”
Experts are more concerned about other infectious diseases that could spread easily during large events due to the influx of international visitors. Measles is particularly worrisome — it’s one of the most contagious diseases out there. Last year, the U.S. recorded its highest number of measles cases in decades, largely attributed to vaccine hesitancy and declining immunization rates.
Alongside measles, health officials are also keeping an eye on respiratory viruses like Covid-19 and influenza. Some cite arboviruses like dengue, as well as heat-related and foodborne illnesses, as additional risks for the tournament.
To prepare, health officials are ramping up existing programs, such as wastewater monitoring, and developing new tools to track potential infectious diseases. These efforts will be seriously tested once the tournament kicks off on June 11.
Dr. Theresa Tran, director of the Houston Health Department, commented, “Public health may often be an invisible shield, but it takes a tremendous effort to ensure that people feel safe at events like the World Cup.” She emphasized that her team is working diligently to prepare for the event.
Ebola Risk is Low Despite Current Outbreak
According to medical experts, Ebola is not as easily transmitted as respiratory viruses like Covid. While over 260 cases have been confirmed and an additional 1,100 possible infections are being investigated in Congo and Uganda, there haven’t been any reported cases in the U.S. as of now.
Dr. Amesh Adalja from Johns Hopkins University explained that Ebola requires close contact with bodily fluids of symptomatic individuals, making it unlikely for an infected person to attend large gatherings.
Nonetheless, local and federal health officials are taking preventive measures against the Ebola threat. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has instituted heightened entry procedures for travelers coming from affected countries, requiring screenings at designated airports.
Travelers from Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan will undergo several checks, including temperature screenings and symptom assessments. Local health departments are also notified to monitor arrivals for any signs of illness.
In Dallas County, Texas, preparations have involved coordination with emergency responders to ensure safe transportation and care for anyone who might develop symptoms. Health Director Dr. Phil Huang emphasized the importance of lessons learned from previous Ebola cases to improve response strategies.
FIFA stated it is closely monitoring the Ebola outbreak and working with host countries to ensure a safe tournament while informing ticket holders in affected regions about travel precautions.
Measles and Respiratory Diseases Raise Concern
James Garrow, communications director for Philadelphia’s Department of Public Health, named measles as a major concern due to its highly contagious nature. Health officials are focused on ensuring quick identification of measles cases before the matches begin.
The U.S. reported over 2,100 confirmed measles cases last year, the most since 1991, primarily affecting unvaccinated individuals. Houston’s Dr. Tran added that other diseases, such as Covid and the flu, could lead to public health challenges as vaccination rates decline.
In addition to these infectious threats, public health officials noted the potential for foodborne illnesses and other health-related issues during the tournament. Steps are being taken to ensure vendors are properly permitted and meet safety standards.
Expanding Surveillance Efforts
This World Cup presents unique challenges, especially with prior funding cuts to public health and the U.S. withdrawal from the WHO. Dr. Rebecca Katz, director of Georgetown University’s Center for Global Health Science and Security, noted a strained situation for international disease collaboration.
Despite cuts to the CDC workforce and the absence of key leadership positions, the CDC continues to prepare for the World Cup via coordination with local health departments and preparing a data dashboard to share disease trends.
At the local level, health departments are enhancing surveillance measures. Some cities are utilizing wastewater monitoring, a tool that gained traction during the Covid pandemic, allowing for earlier disease detection. Dallas is ramping up its surveillance while Philadelphia is launching a mobile lab to expedite testing.
Dr. Margaret Aldrich, a pediatric epidemiologist, remarked on the preparedness of U.S. health systems for handling high-stakes infectious diseases, emphasizing ongoing efforts to maintain robust public health measures.
