World Cup Faces Public Health Risks and Logistics Challenges in US Host Cities

The upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States faces considerable public health and logistical hurdles. Health concerns are significant due to the anticipated mass gatherings, which could elevate the risk of respiratory infections like measles, gastrointestinal illnesses, and heat-related conditions across host cities. Host cities are undertaking public health preparedness activities, but some jurisdictions face capacity challenges.

Logistically, the tournament's unprecedented scale, with 48 teams and 104 matches spread across 11 US cities, is expected to strain existing transportation infrastructure. Fans are encountering substantial transit cost increases in certain host cities, with some train fares on match days reportedly surging to over $100, sparking public anger. This situation is compounded by a complex coordination effort required across various agencies and a fragmented public transportation landscape in the US.

While some cities are making investments to improve transit, the overall readiness of the system for millions of international and domestic visitors remains a key concern. The issue of who should bear the costs for fan transportation has also emerged as a point of contention between transit authorities and FIFA.