Game on: public health readiness for upcoming FIFA world cups

Abstract

On 11 December 2024, the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) announced the 2026 Games will be held in three countries of the North American continent: Mexico, USA and Canada. Other hosts, the tricontinental joint hosts (Europe, Africa and South America) for the Centenary World Cup games celebrations in 2030, and a single host (Saudi Arabia) for the 2034 games are also announced.1 All these FIFA sports mass gathering events are distinct and can be considered the ‘first of its kind’ for several reasons. Uniqueness of the FIFA games from a public health perspective The 2026 tournament will redefine the concept of hosting by covering the entire region of North America. In 2030, FIFA will break new ground by staging matches across three continents and six nations simultaneously. In 2034, for the first time, FIFA will be hosted in a country that hosts other mass gatherings—namely, Saudi Arabia. Similarly, India hosted both religious (Khumb Mela) and sports (Cricket World Cup) gatherings in 2023. is this?

Keyword Climate Change, FIFA, Global Health Security, Mass gatherings, Preparedness