Managing Health Risks at The Biggest Soccer Tournament in 2026

The Biggest Soccer Tournament in 2026 is a global spectacle attracting millions of spectators, athletes, staff, and media from around the world. While it brings economic and cultural benefits, it also presents significant security and health risks to those who will attend. Organizations must plan carefully to protect employees, visitors, and operations.

There are 5 main health issues organizations need to address to best prepare for the games:

• Healthcare System Access and Strain
• Environmental Health Threats
• Infectious and Food -borne Diseases
• Travel, Safety and Accidents
• Mental Health Stressors

By understanding the unique health risks and putting proactive measures in place, organizations can protect their people and ensure the tournament experience is both safe and successful. — Raquel Mora Sobrado, Interim Director of Nursing, Americas

Healthcare System Access and Strain

While the healthcare systems in the United States, Canada and Mexico are of international standard, access may be challenging during the games. Local hospitals and emergency services may be overwhelmed during peak days. This event is unique due to the differences in each healthcare system. To better navigate each country, consider the following for each location.  

The United States’ health system is primarily composed of private sector healthcare providers. For travelers the two main methods to access care are through urgent care centers or through emergency departments.  

Urgent Care Centers: Despite the name, Urgent Care Centers, are walk in primary care clinics with varying levels of capability. These facilities can treat most acute illnesses and minor traumas and can offer a wide range of services such as x-rays or laboratory testing.

These centers are not equipped for serious illness or injury and should be avoided for complex medical care. When patients present to a facility, they will be asked for legal identification and proof of insurance. For those without local insurance, an out-of-pocket cost will be provided at time of registration. Payment must be provided to receive care.  

Emergency Departments: Also referred to as ERs, are the preference of choice for serious acute illness or injury. Unlike the urgent care centers, payment is not required to receive care in the United States. The billing process is often settled after care is received.

In many intercity hospitals, wait times may vary. Some areas have been significantly impacted by recent closings of rural hospitals and experience frequent surges of patient volume. This could translate to waiting times of 6 hours or more.

Like most emergency settings patients are triaged based on severity and we highly advise that travelers avoid going to the emergency department for minor illness to avoid long wait periods.   

Healthcare in the United States is largely up to international standards. It’s important to work with trusted partners to be able to navigate the complex medical expense process in the US which often requires repricing through insurance and billing agents.  

Canada: In contrast, the Canadian Healthcare system is publicly funded and provides universal coverage for medically necessary physician and hospital services, but this coverage applies only to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

Visitors and other non-residents are not eligible for public health insurance and must rely on private health insurance to cover medical expenses during their stay.

Essential services such as doctor visits, hospitalization, and diagnostic tests are only free at the point of care for those enrolled in a provincial plan; non-citizens must pay out-of-pocket or use travel insurance for these same services.

Many hospitals are hesitant to receive payment from third party sources and prefer that patients pay out of pocket and claim their travel insurance often causing stress and complexity to the patient care experience.

Like in the US, Canadas access to care can be found through emergency room and walk in clinics but there is a large contrast in availability of these services.  

Currently, the Canadian healthcare system is under strain and facing shortages of medical staff. Large rural emergency room closures in the past few years have added to this strain and doctors in Vancouver and Toronto have publicly spoken in webinars and news outlets about their concerns on the Canadian healthcare system.

Currently, many Canadians experience long wait times in Emergency departments and walk in primary care clinics often cap the number of patients they see per day. Due to staffing shortages, bed availability can be hard to come by even for those who are in need.

Therefore, it will be crucial that travelers only present to emergency rooms when absolutely needed, as there may be significantly long wait times. Despite the system being overburdened once accessed the level of medical care provided in Canada is high quality.  

Mexico: Travel to Mexico is much more simplified due to larger access to private healthcare facilities that cater to tourists and business travelers. Mexico’s private healthcare sector, which is well-developed and accessible in major cities and popular vacation destinations.

Private hospitals and clinics often offer modern facilities, shorter wait times, and a higher likelihood of English-speaking staff, which can be especially helpful in tourist hubs. Because tourists must pay privately for services, the cost of care can vary widely; from reasonably priced clinic visits to much more expensive emergency procedures or hospital stays, making advance planning essential.

Quality of care in Mexico may vary depending on facility and location, however, local transfers within the country can be done to access a higher quality of medical care within the country.  

Public facilities are discouraged since they are often much more crowded and may have longer waiting times. Unlike in the United States or Canada, hospitals may refuse service if payment is not provided up front or may resort to keeping a traveler’s passport until their bill is paid in full.

Due to this having a travel or international medical policy is one of the most effective ways to avoid high out-of-pocket expenses if unexpected medical issues arise.

Visitors are also encouraged to look up reputable private hospitals at their destination ahead of time and to keep important medical information on hand, such as medication lists, allergy details, and insurance documents. With proper preparation, tourists can feel confident knowing that quality medical care is widely available through Mexico’s private system. 

Accessing emergency services can be done through the 911 system like the United States and Canada however, this is not recommended in Mexico due to the delayed response time of local ambulances.

Public ambulance services in Mexico are generally not recommended for travelers because they often face significant challenges, including inconsistent response times, limited equipment, and variations in training and medical oversight.

Evaluations of Mexico’s public EMS have found response times ranging anywhere from 6 minutes to several hours, with poor data quality and wide disparities between providers, along with a lack of standardized training, regulated certification, and quality‑assurance programs—all of which reduce reliability during emergencies.

Because of these combined factors, tourists are typically advised to rely instead on private ambulance services or hospital‑affiliated emergency transport, which tend to offer faster, more predictable, and better-equipped responses.  

Your Organization’s Preparation Steps

• Identify nearby medical facilities and maintain emergency contact lists
• Consider on-site medical teams or first aid stations at key venues
• Ensure employees have access to travel insurance and health coverage
• Conduct emergency drills and communicate evacuation procedures
• Identify the steps needed should access to public emergency services be required
• Call early during symptom onset to avoid worsening medical conditions 
• Whenever possible, utilize teleconsultation and house call doctors to avoid long wait times at facilities

Environmental Health Threats

The games will be during the summer, and extremely high temperatures are expected. In addition, it is wildfire season, and this can lead to poor air quality from potential smoke and smog. In addition, Mexico City is at altitude, so it is important to orient travelers to the implications of altitude sickness and its prevention and complications.

Extreme temperatures can lead to dehydration, heatstroke, and reduced productivity. 

Your Organization’s Preparation Steps

• Provide hydration stations and encourage frequent water intake
• Ensure cooling areas or shaded zones for staff and visitors
• Provide sunscreen and instruct employees to wear sun protective clothing
• Advise staying indoors or in shaded areas during peak heat hours
• Train staff to recognize signs of heat-related illnesses.
• Follow local public health recommendations for activities outdoors. 

Consider monitoring for Wet Bulb temperature, which is a measure of not only temperature, but humidity and other weather-related factors impacting personal health. The Wet Bulb temperature is linked in many jurisdictions to specific actions to take such as limiting activities, water intake, and time in the shade.

Infectious and Food-borne Health Risks

Mass gatherings significantly increase the risk of infectious disease spreading, including respiratory illnesses and foodborne infections. While food quality is generally excellent in the locations of the games, travelers not familiar with the local diet may want to limit the range of their dietary items. 

Your Organization’s Preparation Steps

• Stay up to date on disease trends and outbreaks of the city you are visiting. Promote vaccinations and booster programs relevant to the host country.
• Implement infection control measures, including sanitization stations and mask policies.
• Coordinate with local public health authorities for rapid outbreak response.
• Educate your travelers in steps to take if they become ill.

International SOS can support your organizations through Health & Security Tournament Protection. Which includes a plan that can outline directions on what employees and managers can do in case of illness or injury.

This includes things such as:

• Dedicated provider referrals based on your hotels and location
• Access to Teleconsultation and House Call doctors
• On site medical personnel for first aide and urgent care at venues
• Coordination of medical expenses
• Guidance on local healthcare systems
• Evacuation and repatriation support for severe cases

Food Safety & Hygiene

Large-scale food operations increase the risk of illness from contaminated food or water.  

Your Organization’s Preparation Steps

• Vet all catering and food vendors for compliance with safety standards.
• Educate staff on personal hygiene and safe food practices.
• Monitor food handling and storage during events.
• Have a response plan for suspected foodborne illness cases.
• Avoid tap water in Mexico (including eating fruit or vegetables washed in tap water).

The use of Teleconsultation is a great asset when traveling abroad. International SOS has wide access to providers who can offer support remotely.

By enabling remote medical appointments via video, phone, or secure mobile platforms, teleconsultation eliminates the need to leave a meeting, navigate unfamiliar cities, or spend valuable time traveling to clinics—making high-quality medical guidance accessible from a hotel room, airport lounge, or office abroad.

Teleconsultation is a great option for simple medical conditions such as upper respiratory infections, non-narcotic medication refills, and simple gastroenteritis. Our medical team is trained in triage and can advise when teleconsultation is a viable option for travelers.

Travel, Safety and Accidents

Trips and falls remain the most common cause of health issues at sporting events. Ensuring an effective plan to manage such an incident is critical. High-density crowds increase the risk of accidents, stampedes, and altercations.

Your Organization’s Preparation Steps

• Become aware of High-Risk Zones – Download The Security Risk Outlook to learn more.
• Develop a crowd management and emergency evacuation plan.
• Train staff in first aid and emergency response.
• Enforce safe staffing ratios in high-traffic areas.
• Coordinate with local authorities on access routes and security zones.

Mental Health Stressors

Large-scale events can cause stress, anxiety, or aggressive behavior among staff and visitors. Travelers with existing mental health conditions may be exacerbated when at the games due to unfamiliar surroundings, interaction with large groups, and changes to their sleep and jet lag.

Your Organization’s Preparation Steps

• Offer mental health support resources and counseling.
• Train security and staff in conflict de-escalation techniques.
• Encourage rest breaks and reasonable workloads during long shifts.
• Monitor for signs of stress-related incidents and respond promptly.
• Ensure travelers carry additional personal prescription medications if they may be delayed in-country.

Through the International SOS Health & Security Tournament Protection, travelers have streamlined access to comprehensive mental health resources provided through our global counseling partners.

This network offers both in person and virtual counseling in multiple languages, ensuring timely support for acute stress, anxiety, and other emotional challenges that may arise during high-pressure events. In addition, travelers can access a 24/7 crisis line, connecting them with a trained counselor within minutes for immediate, confidential assistance whenever it’s needed most.

Health incidents will happen, even with the best preparation. Organizations that have taken the time and effort to plan will limit disruption, best support their staff and clients, and protect their brand. — Myles Druckman, M.D., SVP & Global Medical Director, Health Innovation, International SOS

Get in touch with our Experts

Health risks during the Biggest Soccer Tournament in 2026 are complex but manageable with proactive planning. By implementing preventive measures, preparing for emergencies, and coordinating with local authorities, your organization can protect staff, visitors, and operations, ensuring a safe and successful event experience.  

Learn more about how International SOS can help ensure the health and safety of your people during these exciting games!