As millions of soccer fans prepare to attend this summer's FIFA World Cup, public health experts are monitoring potential health risks including infectious diseases, extreme heat and food safety. The tournament, held from June 11 to July 19 across 16 host cities in the US, Mexico and Canada, will feature a record 104 matches with 48 teams.
Infectious disease transmission is a concern due to large crowds. Professor Andy Pekosz of Johns Hopkins University highlighted influenza and measles as particular risks. While influenza spread may be limited by conditions in North America, measles is more worrying due to its easy transmission and long incubation period. Nearly 2,000 measles cases were reported in the US as of May 21, with 3,564 cases since January 2025 – the largest outbreak in decades.
The CDC says the risk of hantavirus to travellers is “extremely low,” but an outbreak linked to a Dutch cruise ship has caused three deaths and nearly a dozen cases. Eighteen American passengers from that ship are now quarantined in Nebraska. Enhanced travel screenings have also been implemented for Ebola, which is spreading rapidly in Congo, though officials say the risk of mass spread in the US remains low.
Extreme heat poses another significant risk. Christopher Uejio, a Florida State University professor, noted that many venues will experience hot, humid conditions, especially in cities like Houston, Miami and Monterrey, where June averages reach the mid-80s to mid-90s Fahrenheit. Fans in non-climate-controlled settings or waiting in lines face increased heat risks, particularly if they have existing health conditions, consume alcohol or are unacclimated tourists.
The acting CDC director Jay Bhattacharya said the risk is no different from previous World Cups and that the US has systems in place to respond appropriately. FIFA has sold five million tickets for the tournament, which will be the largest in history.
