The 2026 FIFA World Cup starts Thursday, June 11, in Mexico City and runs through July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The soccer tournament will feature 48 national teams playig 104 games in 16 cities across three countries — Canada, Mexico and the United States. Millions of fans are flying in from every corner of the globe.
From the perspective of an emergency physician, mass gatherings like the World Cup present a special category of challenge, especially when extreme weather and summer heat may affect players and fans.
Most people arrive healthy and leave fine. Yet every tournament generates a predictable set of emergencies. And this World Cup, given its unprecedented scale, deserves more attention than many fans are likely giving it.
Here are four health tips for them to safely enjoy the World Cup.
Beware Of Heat Illness, Which Compounds For For Those Drinking Alcohol
June and July in Houston, Miami, Mexico City and Los Angeles can be blistering hot. These are dangerous conditions for people standing outside in crowds for hours.
Heat exhaustion occurs when the body overheats and loses vital fluids and salt through sweating. Warning signs include dizziness, a rapid but weak pulse and cool, clammy skin. Left untreated, it can escalate quickly into heat stroke — a life-threatening emergency that can kill or cause permanent brain damage. Core body temperature above 104°F, confusion and cessation of sweating are the hallmarks.
The risk compounds dramatically with alcohol. Alcohol is a vasodilator and a diuretic that opens blood vessels near the skin and drives fluid loss through urine, accelerating dehydration and impairing the body’s ability to regulate temperature. To reduce risk, eat a full meal before drinking, alternate alcoholic beverages with water, choose lower-alcohol options and keep electrolyte drinks on hand. They matter more than plain water for extended outdoor exposure. Shade can reduce heat stress by 25 to 35%.
FIFA has drawn criticism for initially banning outside water bottles at several venues. Check the policy for your specific stadium before you arrive.
Reduce Your Risk Of Infectious Disease Transmission
The U.S. is experiencing its largest measles outbreak in decades. Measles is one of the most contagious viruses in medicine. An unvaccinated person who spends an hour on a plane with someone infected has roughly a 90% chance of contracting it.
Philadelphia’s Department of Public Health has called measles its top infectious disease concern for the tournament.
Here’s the good news: Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide very strong protection. Adults born before 1957 are generally considered immune from natural exposure. Anyone born after who hasn’t received two MMR doses should talk to their doctor before attending.
Beyond measles, the Pan American Health Organization recommends fans ensure they are current on flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, particularly those traveling internationally. The 2025–2026 flu season reached a 30-year high in the U.S., and COVID-19 continues to cause hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations annually.
There is also an active Ebola outbreak in Central Africa. Though the risk to World Cup spectators remains low, all three host countries have implemented enhanced screening at ports of entry.
Know Your Personal Risks When Attending The Event
Certain groups face meaningfully higher risk at a mass gathering in summer heat, including people 65 and older; those with chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, COPD or kidney disease; those who are immunocompromised; and pregnant fans.
For these groups, infectious disease experts recommend wearing a well-fitted mask in crowded indoor or covered areas. Outdoor seating in open-air stadiums carries lower respiratory risk than enclosed fan zones, bars and public transit.
Cardiac risk deserves specific mention. Research has documented increases in cardiac events during high-stakes matches in countries like Germany and England during major tournaments. The emotional intensity of sports events is real and physiologically meaningful.
For those with known heart disease or risk factors, talk to your cardiologist before attending. And when you arrive at your stadium, locate the AED stations. Most large venues have them.
Be Aware Of The Physical Hazards Of Crowded Stadiums
Sprains, lacerations, fractures and head injuries are a consistent feature of major stadium events. Crowd dynamics during goal celebrations, high-energy exits and packed concourses create real injury risk. Wear supportive footwear — not flip-flops — and use handrails. When the final whistle blows and 70,000 people try to move at once, be patient.
For international fans unfamiliar with the U.S. healthcare system, call 911 in an emergency. Emergency departments across all host cities are accessible regardless of insurance status. If traveling from outside the United States, carry travel insurance with medical coverage.
Ultimately, the World Cup is a genuinely extraordinary event. Emergency physicians celebrate it too — we just spend our careers treating the things people didn’t see coming.
One more thing to note: The public health system supporting this year’s event is thinner than it has been for previous mass gatherings, with significant federal workforce reductions at the CDC and strained coordination capacity. That makes individual preparation more important, not less.
Remember these World Cup health tips and enjoy the tournament. And if you see someone in distress, be the person who calls for help.
